Rotana Hotels Highlights Its Expansion Plans at Arabian Travel Market 2021

Continuing the tradition for the 24th successive year, Rotana is showcasing its portfolio of hospitality offerings at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2021.

Commenting on the importance of the event, Rotana President and CEO Guy Hutchinson, said: “ATM plays a significant role in the growth of the travel and tourism industry and this year, it has an even more important role to play, as key figures from the sector will deliberate on critical factors for a strong, fast-paced and sustainable recovery, which will also be pivotal for overall economic growth. The global event provides an excellent platform for us to explore further growth opportunities and put in place building blocks for future development” added Hutchinson.

The COVID-19 crisis has been one of the toughest experiences on record to date, creating a unique inflection point for the global hospitality business, and this year’s ATM will play a major role in reuniting the travel and trade industries. The keynote centers on ‘Tourism for a brighter future’ and will discuss how swift, sustainable growth is vital for the industry’s recovery.

Makram El Zyr, Rotana’s Corporate Vice President for Development stated: “Rotana currently operates 68 hotels in 24 cities across 14 countries, including an impressive 10,012 keys across 36 hotels in the UAE. The group’s pipeline consists of 40 upcoming projects including 10 that will deliver in the next three years more than 3,000 keys to the market. This is a testament to the competencies of the homegrown brand and its expansion strategy to operate hotels in key locations in high growth markets”.

The new property signings represent another major milestone in Rotana's burgeoning development strategy and it remains firmly on course for international expansion. The hospitality group, which currently operates seven hotels in KSA and has a further 5 properties under development, is adding two new properties in Al Baha and Jubail under the Rayhaan Hotels & Resorts by Rotana brand to its pipeline in KSA. Rotana will be opening the five-star Rayhaan Hotels & Resorts in Jubail in Q1 2022 and the four-star mountain resort project in 2024.

In Manama, Rotana is looking to capitalise on the growing demand for the long-stay segment and has signed an agreement under Residences by Rotana. Set to open in 2022, the property will feature 483 keys and provide an extended stay-focused brand to the Kingdom of Bahrain. Furthermore, Rotana is keen to provide its guests with a holistic living experience by offering a home-away-from-home setting within the city, introducing a 220-key Arjaan Hotel Apartments by Rotana, which is scheduled to open in 2023.

Two new projects are upcoming in Qatar; the group recently took over the management of the 250-key Sedra Arjaan by Rotana, located in the heart of Doha, The Pearl Island, and signed a hotel management agreement under the Centro Hotels brand, with a stylish 350-key property set to add a new dimension to Doha’s vibrant hospitality scene by 2023.

Rotana is on course to launch two new properties on the European side of Istanbul: Bomonti Arjaan by Rotana and Bomonti Residences by Rotana offering 650 units that are set to open doors to guests in 2022. Furthermore, the group has taken over a third property in the city, located at the center of Istanbul's new business district. Currently under refurbishment, the 5-star property is set to open its doors to guests in Q2 2022.

While a key focus is placed on international markets, Rotana continues to strengthen its footprint in the UAE to meet the predicted growing demand for hotel rooms in the upscale segment in 2021 and beyond. This is reflected in the recent signing of a hotel management agreement under the Rotana Hotels & Resorts master brand. Expected to open in 2023, the property, which is located in Dubai, will boost the group’s number of residential and hospitality units in the country by 295 keys.

“Rotana already has a significant presence in Dubai, and strengthening our portfolio with additional properties will allow us to further contribute to and capitalize on the UAE’s ever-expanding tourism and hospitality sector. Our upcoming properties will go a long way towards meeting the pent-up demand anticipated during and beyond Expo 2020 this year, and will help ramp up overall room capacity which is crucial in achieving the city’s ambitious tourism vision,” concluded Guy Hutchinson, Rotana President and CEO.

The region’s hospitality sector is marching ahead and showcasing solid growth trajectory, supported by the ambitious economic diversification roadmaps outlined by governments, including the UAE’s Vision 2021 and the Saudi Vision 2030. Rotana’s expansion plan is in line with the government’s vision to strengthen the UAE as a global tourism hub and position the emirates as the number one tourism destination worldwide.