Abu Dhabi based Rotana, the leading hotel management company in the Middle East & Africa has announced that it will embark on a 750 million USD investment managed by Rotana to open in 2012, helping the group to maintain its position as the largest hotel brand in the region.  The hotel management group will open 8 new hotels in 2012 including its first properties in Bahrain, Jordan and Oman and its second hotel in Qatar and will expand its portfolio in the UAE with four additional hotels. 

The expansion plans will see Rotana managing 14,380 rooms across its properties by the end of 2012, and Rotana also expects a 6% occupancy rate growth next year across its portfolio of hotels in the region when compared to 2011’s figures.

Recent figures from the Hotstats survey of full-service hotels by Hotels TRI Hospitality Consulting show a robust and growing Middle East hospitality sector.  Abu Dhabi reported a surge in occupancy in October while hotels in Dubai were as full as they were in2007.  Abu Dhabi registered the largest increase in occupancy in the region, growing 9.7 percentage points to 82.8% in October 2011 and moving closer to Dubai which saw occupancy increase to 87.3% during the month. 

Selim El Zyr, President and CEO for Rotana, comments; “The last year has seen the hospitality industry in the Middle East and Africa registering positive growth, despite several challenging economic and political factors. We have properties in Syria and Egypt, and whilst we have been affected by the unrest in both countries, we are hoping thatthe political situation will soon settle down. Airlines from the UK and the traditional European feeder markets to Sharm and Hurghada are planning an increase to their flights as of December.  We expect that as general business conditions improve in these countries and indeed right across the Middle East and Africa, so will the opportunities for hospitality, and Rotana is adding several new destinations to our offering - in Jordan, Oman and Bahrain. 

“Despite the generally gloomy global outlook, Rotana is proud to be growing and expanding.  We believe our growth is supported by our commitment to keep evolving our products in line with travel trends and guest preferences, and one of the key areas for growth that we are currently addressing is the mid-tier market, for which we developed the Centro Hotels by Rotana brand.”

Rotana will require more than 3000 new employees to support its growth targets, a welcome development for an industry hit by substantial lay-offs as a result of the global downturn. 

Developments planned for 2012 for Rotana include:

UAE – Dubai
Al Ghurair Rayhaan by Rotana – Dubai - Opening Quarter 3 2012
Al Ghurair Rayhaan by Rotana is a 5-star property located in Deira, Dubai, offering 428 rooms and suites, designed with up-to-date technology and facilities catering to both business and leisure guests. The alcohol free Al Ghurair Rayhaan by Rotana offers a wide choice of dining venues, six meeting rooms and complete recreational areas including Bodylines Health and Fitness Club with the signature Zen the spa at Rotana and a swimming pool. 

Al Ghurair Arjaan by Rotana – Dubai - Opening Quarter 3 2012
Al Ghurair Arjaan by Rotana is a deluxe hotel apartment is nestled in the heart of Dubai and is directly connected to the 5 star Al Ghurair Rayhaan by Rotana. It is conveniently located a few minutes’ drive from DubaiInternationalAirport and in close proximity to leading Shopping Malls. The hotel offers 193 hotel apartments, access to the meeting and dining venues and to Al Khor spacious ballroom of Al Ghurair Rayhaan by Rotana, Zen the spa at Rotana, Bodylines Leisure & Fitness Club with state-of-the-art gym, outdoor swimming pool and Kids pool. 

Jordan – Opening Quarter 1 2012
Boulevard Arjaan by Rotana – Jordan
Boulevard Arjaan by Rotana is a modern property designed with up-to-date technology and facilities catering to both long-term guests and families alike.  Featuring 400 suites, the property will be located in the heart of the new downtown, Abdali, which is the largest, single vacant plot in the centre of Amman spanning 35 hectares (350,000 square metres).

UAE – Abu Dhabi
Centro Capital Centre – Abu Dhabi - Opening Quarter 2 of 2012
Situated within the Capital Centre development in Abu   Dhabi, the hotel will offer 414 rooms and suites, the latest in-room technology, two meeting rooms and a well-equipped sizeable gym. Capital Centre will feature a commercial zone, a marina, bustling outdoor cafés, retail, restaurants and premier residences, creating a vibrant business and lifestyle destination for residents and visitors alike.

Capital Centre Rotana – Abu Dhabi - Opening Quarter 3 of 2012
Situated within the Capital Centre development in Abu Dhabi, the hotel will offer 300 spacious rooms & suites, a wide variety of restaurants & state-of- the art fitness centre. Capital Centre will feature a commercial zone, a marina, bustling outdoor cafés, retail, restaurants and premier residences, creating a vibrant business and lifestyle destination for residents and visitors alike.

Oman - Opening Quarter 4 of 2012
Salalah Rotana Resort & Spa – Oman
Located in the coastal town of Salalah, in the sultanate of Oman, the 5-star Salalah Rotana Resort & Spa will offer 400 luxury rooms & suites, a wide choice of bars and restaurants, a health and fitness centre, a private beach and Zen the spa at Rotana.

Qatar - Opening Quarter 3 of 2012
City Centre Rotana – Doha
Part of the City Centre Doha shopping complex, the 5-star City Centre Rotana in Doha will offer 400 luxurious modern rooms and suites, Club Rotana Executive floors, 5 Food & Beverage venues, a wide variety of meeting rooms in addition to a state-of-the-art Bodylines Health and Fitness Centre.

Bahrain – Opening Quarter 4 2012
Majestic Arjaan by Rotana – Bahrain
Consisting of five modern state-of-the art buildings, the Majestic Arjaan Hotel by Rotana comprises 128 apartments which are meticulously designed. The hotel offers an impressive array of Food & Beverage venues, as well as four meeting rooms, a swimming pool, Gym and Health Club.