German group to open up to 15 hotels in Mena by 2020

The Oetker Hotel Collection (OHC), a leading European luxury hotel company, yesterday outlined its plans to expand in the Mena region and operate 10 to 15 hotels by 2020, with the first regional hotel opening in Abu Dhabi in 2012.

The German hospitality company announced its expansion plans at a press briefing in Abu Dhabi. The conference was part of its road shows in the region that include the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, as well as Lebanon, to introduce OHC's strategic vision and showcase its up-coming luxury properties across the Middle East.

"Abu Dhabi will be our first vehicle to introduce OHC's luxury services to the entire Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region. Our first regional hotel, Le Bristol Abu Dhabi, will open here by 2012.

"The plan is to have 10 to 15 hotels in 10 years in the Mena," Samir Daqqaq, OHC's Senior Vice-President (Development) for Middle East and Africa, told Emirates Business.

According to him, yesterday's media event was part of a series of road shows to introduce OHC and its more-than-a-century-old experience in hospitality services to the region.

"This is our first event to introduce OHC. The next road show will be held in Doha, followed by Kuwait, Jeddah, Bahrain and Beirut. It will take a week to complete the regional road shows. The idea is to introduce our collections to the region," he explained.

When asked about Oman, he said it was another important market for the company and soon another road show would be organised in Muscat. "Oman is an important market on our radar screen. Its market potential stems from its beautiful landscapes," he added.

Daqqaq said the road shows also include negotiations on strategic alliances with local partners to expand the collection's portfolio in the region.

Once operational, Le Bristol Abu Dhabi, located next to the InterContinental, will feature 250 luxury guestrooms with a minimum size of 40 square metres, and suites with private fitness centre amenities. Guest facilities and services will include various contemporary gastronomic choices with an up-market café and a gourmet restaurant, a selection of banquet rooms with seaside views for up to 300 people.

This will be accompanied by a spa inspired by the Brenner's Park-Hotel and Spa in Baden-Baden, also a member of OHC, and long considered as one of the best spas in Europe.

Furthermore, a private beach and a private marina next to the hotel complement the ensemble.

Commenting on the group's entry into the region, Frank Marrenbach, OHC's CEO, said: "The Oetker Hotel Collection offers luxury, elegance, exclusivity and style and we are happy to bring a distinctly European hotel charm to this wonderful region. Our hotels are real masterpieces, driven by passion and run from the heart, and we offer our guests a real environment of art and authenticity."

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