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27/2/07
11:05 am
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BREAKING
Inside this issue:
TRAVELNEWS
Record year for tourism
Jammin’ in Jamaica: Island nation looks ahead
www.breakingtravelnews.com
ITB Edition
8 March 2007
Page 12
Page 21
Page 123
Talking global expansion with Fairmont boss
Who are the World Travel Awards nominees?
Cricket bowls over Caribbean tourism
Rotana at the forefront of Middle East growth There are few tourism destinations in the Middle East that Rotana, one of the region’s largest independent hotel chains, isn’t looking into. Last month it opened its first property in Khartoum, Sudan and another one in Dubai. Recently it announced a resort for Abu Dhabi's Saadiyat Island, which will also house a new Guggenheim Museum.
Abu Dhabi United Arab Emirates “Year after year, Rotana Hotels is gaining in strength and is imposing its position as the leader in the industry within the region,” says Nasser Al Nowais, chairman of Rotana Hotels. Currently, Abu Dhabi-based, Rotana has 23 properties and is looking to ambitiously grow its portfolio to 43 hotels in the next two years with properties in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Amman, Lebanon, Syria and Egypt. Committed to Abu Dhabi, the group is also opening another property
“Year after year, Rotana is gaining in strength and is imposing its position as the leader in the industry within the Middle East” Rotana Chairman, Nasser Al Nowais
there before the end of the year -the Khalidiya Palace Rotana Resort. The group will be operating its fifth hotel in the Emirate and will remain the largest operator in the city. The property will have 400 luxurious rooms, suites and serviced apartments, as well as extensive water sport activities on one of the island’s most stunning beaches. Furthermore, Rotana Hotels has signed an agreement with the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority and the AlMada Tourism Investment Company to build a multi-use complex Park Rotana Hotel & Suites, which is expected to be completed by mid 2008. The complex will include a 550
INSIDE: WORLD TRAVEL CEO FORUM KICKS OFF
room hotel, suites, apartments and office space. Looking forwards, the Rotana group is also looking at an IPO listing inside three years, according to industry analysts. Rotana Resort Saadiyat Beach has created a buzz in the media because of its position on the exclusive development of Saadiyat Island. The property will cover 809,000 square feet of land and will have 450 rooms, a private beach, a spa as well as a fitness club, restaurants and conference facilities. It is set to open towards the end of 2009. www.rotana.com
Read the full story on Page 11
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