ATM 2014 announcements: Expansion plans, new launches…

With the opening of the Arabian Travel Market 2014 today, a number of hotels have announced their expansion plans and new management deals with hotel owners.

Below are some of the deals announced on the opening day. Keep visiting Emirates 24l7 for updates on new announcements by the hotel operators and owners during the ATM 2014.

Hilton Worldwide expands footprint in Ras Al Khaimah

Hilton Worldwide today signed an agreement with long-standing business partner, Mohamed Ruqait Real Estate for a new resort property on Marjan Island, Ras Al Khaimah. Once fully completed, Marjan Island’s extensive premium offshore development will be home to luxury waterfront homes, resorts, sports facilities and numerous pristine beaches.

The new property, DoubleTree by Hilton Marjan Island Village, is expected to open end of 2015 and will be the third hotel for the DoubleTree brand in Ras Al Khaimah. An exclusive man-made cluster of five islands, Marjan Island is located in Al Hamra district of Ras Al Khaimah and the new 205-key upscale DoubleTree by Hilton Marjan Island Village will enjoy prime positioning, close to the newly opened DoubleTree by Hilton Resort Marjan Island hotel.

HMH enters budget segment, plans 3 hotels

Dubai-based Hospitality Management Holdings (HMH) has forayed into budget hotel segment with the launch of Ecos Hotels.

Unveiling the expansion plans for the 'no frills' brand, Laurent Voivenel, CEO of HMH, said: "We are eager to penetrate the largely untapped market for mid-scale and economy hotels in the region with Ecos Hotels that ties together a unique economical and ecological concept. To start with we have three different projects under consideration in the UAE and the first of these will be developed in Dubai.”

Laurent said: "Existing hotel stock in the Middle East, including the UAE, is predominantly geared towards luxury and up-market accommodation leaving a huge gap and opportunity for budget hotels that we are keen to develop."

Millennium & Copthorne launches 3 brands

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels Middle East and Africa (MEA) has unveiled a trio of new-to-region hospitality brands as part of its planned programme of expansion and growth, with a target of 50 properties by 2017.

The three new brands will shortly be making their debut in the region, – Studio M, M Hotel and Millennium Executive Apartments - will each address new and growing market segment needs and help Millennium & Copthorne grow its brand presence throughout the Middle East.

“We see immense scope for development in the region and have identified certain gaps in the market where Millennium & Copthorne’s own unique portfolio of brands will fit perfectly with the target audience whilst bringing different aspects of our brand philosophy to guests across the Middle East from the UAE to KSA,” said Ali Hamad Lakhraim Alzaabi, President & CEO, Millennium & Copthorne Hotels MEA.

Cristal Hotels & Resorts targets 50 properties in 5 years

Abu Dhabi-based Cristal Hotels & Resorts aims to open 13 hotels in the Middle East by 2016 and 50 properties within five years – thus doubling its previous goal of 25 hotels.

Spreading its footprint in other countries, the chain now operates in four countries - the UAE, Iraq, Lebanon and the Comoros in the Indian Ocean. Next year the brand will debut in Saudi Arabia with two hotels in Riyadh, followed by a third property in Dammam.

Peter Blackburn, President & CEO, Cristal Hotels & Resorts, said: "We are in the process of finding new markets and setting new targets. We have got some new projects in development that will give us access to new destinations such as Iraq and Lebanon.”

Ritz-Carlton to open 5 new properties in MEA in 2 years

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company will launch 15 new hotels, including five new properties in the Middle East & Africa, growing its brand footprint to 100 hotels by 2016. Over the next 30 months, The Ritz-Carlton has new properties scheduled to open in Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, Indonesia, China and Panama.

Adding to its existing portfolio of eight properties will also expand its footprint in the Middle East & Africa market with The Nile Ritz-Carlton, Cairo (Egypt); The Ritz-Carlton, Tunis (Tunisia) as well as The Ritz-Carlton, Marrakech; The Ritz-Carlton, Rabat and the Tamuda Bay Reserve in Morocco.

Lufthansa bullish on Middle Eastern growth

Lufthansa and its group member airlines recorded 5 per cent increase in 2013 in passengers to 1.7 million on the Middle East routes.

In all, the Lufthansa Group offered flights to more than 104 million passengers in 2013.

The largest growth has been generated in the premium segment, especially in First and Business Class.

“The premium growth in the UAE has been impressive over the last months with more sales potential at the horizon,” said Karsten Zang, Lufthansa’s new General Manager UAE and Director Gulf and Pakistan since January this year.

HMH to double Dubai portfolio by 2020

Hospitality Management Holdings (HMH) announced today that it will expand its footprint in the GCC and also double portfolio to 8 hotels by 2020.

Laurent A. Voivenel, CEO of HMH, said: “By 2020 our aim is to have a hotel in every GCC country while doubling our portfolio in Dubai and we certainly believe it is achievable. Dubai’s successful bid for World Expo 2020 is a massive stimulant for the entire region’s hospitality and meetings industry accelerating economic growth and development.” HMH has 20 hotels in operation with five new properties opening later this year.

UAE’s Hues Hotels & Resort plans 5 properties by 2020

UAE-based Hues Hotels & Resorts plans to target CIS, North Africa markets and also expansion in the UAE. The group currently has two boutique hotels in Dubai and Sharjah and plans to have 5 by the end of 2020, said Daousser Chennoufi, Concept Creator and Partner of Hues Hotels & Resorts, Dubai.

“Hues is a new brand. Sharjah hotel is the second property, first was Hues boutique hotel Dubai. We have plan for expansion in the next two years. We are not targeting many hotels. Up to 2020, we will have 5 total properties,” he said.

MAF, Hilton sign Garden Inn deal

Hilton Worldwide has announced the signing of a management agreement with Majid Al Futtaim Properties to expand the hospitality company’s mid-range Hilton Garden Inn brand in Dubai. The new 370-room Hilton Garden Inn Mall of the Emirates will be developed adjacent to the mall.

Adrian Kurre, global head of Hilton Garden Inn, said: “Hilton Garden Inn Mall of the Emirates, Dubai, will complement the brand pipeline of Hilton Garden Inn Dubai Al Mina and Hilton Garden Inn Dubai Al Muraqabat, which are both expected to open in the emirate in 2015.”

Wyndham Dubai Marina to open next year

Wyndham Hotel Group today announced plans to open the Middle East’s first Wyndham Garden hotel in Doha. The new-construction Wyndham Garden Doha will become the second Wyndham Hotels and Resorts property in Qatar following the opening of the Wyndham Grand Regency Doha in 2011. The hotel is expected to open in 2017.

The hotel will join other Wyndham Hotels and Resorts properties currently under development in the Middle East, including the Wyndham Dubai Marina and Wyndham Grand Manama, which are anticipated to open in 2015, and Wyndham Grand Riyadh, expected to open the following year. As of March 31, 2014, Wyndham Hotel Group’s ME portfolio consists of 36 hotels and 6,250 rooms.

Taj Dubai to open doors in Q4 2014

Asia’s Taj Group has announced it will open Taj Dubai in Downtown Dubai in the fourth quarter of 2014. The hotel will comprise of 296 guestrooms besides two theme suites – The Tata Suite and The Royal Suite, occupying the top floors. With the opening of Taj Dubai, the Group will introduce its members’ only business club, ‘Chambers’, for the first time in the international market.

Oceanic Khorfakkan Resort & Spa unveils beachfront villas

Oceanic Khorfakkan Resort & Spa has unveiled its new beachfront villas and villettes during the Arabian Travel Market 2014.
Following an extensive research and years of project planning, the Oceanic Oceanic Khorfakkan Resort & Spa villas have been designed to meet the criteria of modern travellers, whether in small groups or extended families. The sea-facing villas comprise of multiple interconnecting options that allow catering to different capacity combinations; including possibility of booking an entire villa of six bedrooms.
“The launch of the new Oceanic Villa Property will give the brand greater visibility and boost the property portfolio. We look forward to harnessing our services, market knowledge and strong reputation to cater to more travellers with the quality accommodation and personalized service that we have become trusted to provide,” said Ian Philips, General anager, Oceanic Khorfakkan Resort & Spa.

 

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