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News
Rotana on track for further expansion in the Middle East Homegrown hospitality brand Rotana recently announced its three-year expansion plan, unveiling significant new additions to its burgeoning portfolio of hotels by 2023. Comprising eight new developments in the region, Rotana will launch its properties in the UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey. The move will deliver more than 2,650 keys to the recovering hospitality industry in the Middle East. Guy Hutchinson, President and CEO at Rotana, said: “Building on this momentum and leveraging our highly effective core business model, inherent operational strength and our sustainable blueprint for regional expansion, Rotana is well positioned for continued growth and success in 2021 and beyond.” The expansion plan will see Rotana continue to consolidate its portfolio in the UAE as the company forecasts a positive year for the domestic industry. “We are extremely confident that the UAE will remain one of the safest countries in the world for domestic and international travel. With the launch of the first federal domestic tourism campaign boosting the country’s local tourism contribution to more
than AED80 billion, coupled with the vigorous nationwide vaccine drive and steady growth in inbound tourism, the outlook for the industry is bright.” In Dubai, Rotana signed a hotel management agreement, which will see the brand open a new property in 2023, adding 295 keys to the group’s number of residential and hospitality units in the emirate. In Saudi Arabia, a five-star Rayhaan Hotels & Resorts property will be added to the Rotana portfolio in the third quarter of 2021. Located in Jubail, the 407-key property will represent the group’s eighth hotel operating in the kingdom. Under its hybrid hotel and residence brand – Residences by Rotana – the group will launch a 483-key property in Bahrain’s capital city of Manama in 2022, offering branded residences for the long-stay market. Another option for long-stay travellers, Manama will also see the launch of the 220-key Arjaan Hotel Apartments by Rotana, with a planned opening date of 2023. Rotana has also penned two deals in Qatar, with the aim of supporting the country’s vision to attract seven million visitors by 2030. The group recently took over the management of
Al Bandar Rotana - Creek
the 250-key Sedra Arjaan by Rotana, located in Doha, and also signed a hotel management agreement under the Centro Hotels brand, with a 350-key property set to open in 2023. Further extending its footprint in the European side of Istanbul,
Rotana will also be managing two new properties in the city. Bomonti Arjaan by Rotana and Bomonti Residences by Rotana will offer 650 units to guests when it opens in 2022. VISIT STAND HC0720
Germany to showcase tax-free shopping destination at ATM
Outletcity Metzingen
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Outletcity Metzingen will once again showcase its highlights at ATM 2021. Exhibiting with the German National Tourist Board, this unique shopping destination in the southern region of Germany will offer attendees insight into the latest developments at the venue. A tax-free shopping haven, Outletcity Metzingen offers visitors a choice of 130 premium and luxury brands, including the largest Hugo Boss outlet store in the world. Its unique set-up makes it a “true city of fashion” with flagship outlets housed amid the venue’s award-winning architecture. Apart from the world-class shopping, Metzingen is also home to a historic town centre and is set amidst the Swabian Alb Biosphere Reserve, which was honoured by UNESCO in 2009 for its natural significance. Developments taking shape at the destination include a new restaurant, Enzian Hoefe, which will open its doors this summer, and a new flagship outlet housing sports brand Adidas. The venue will also debut its VIP shopping package for international
visitors, which will offer customers greater flexibility during their stay, additional discounts and other benefits. Sales and Tourism Manager, Angela Rieger, said: “The GCC region is among our top five international source markets. During the summer months, people from the region love to visit us and enjoy our tax-free shopping. “Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Outletcity Metzingen was welcoming around 4.2 million visitors from around 185 countries per year. We hope that travel will be safe again and visitors can return soon. As travel connections are very good between the GCC and our airports in Munich and Frankfurt, we hope that guests from the GCC will soon be shopping at Outletcity Metzingen again. “ATM is the platform to establish new connections with the travel trade and maintain relationships with existing partners. Our aim is to further establish Outletcity Metzingen as a destination for travellers from the GCC and a good add-on to any trip to southern Germany.” VISIT STAND EU2350
5/12/21 12:08 AM
