Rotana announces expansion plans

United Arab Emirates, December 2009 (TravMedia.com) – Rotana, the leading hotel management company in the Middle East and North Africa, has announced the expansion of its portfolio to 68 properties to open by 2012. This came as a result of new management agreements signed by Rotana for new properties across the region, including Cairo, Jordan, Oman, Iraq, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia.

“Year after year, Rotana is gaining strength and positioning itself as a leader in the industry within the region. This is part of our strategic aim to have a property located in every key city in the Middle East and North Africa and this goal is being steadily achieved through careful long-term planning and timely action. The new properties will not only expand our portfolio in the United Arab Emirates, Jordan and Qatar but will also introduce Rotana into new markets such as Cairo, Oman, Iraq and Saudi Arabia” said Selim El Zyr, President & CEO Rotana.

Rotana has already signed management contracts and some of these properties are now under construction or development. For the next four years, Rotana will open 10 hotels per year. The plan is right. The strategy is there. The execution and know-how are there. The objective is clear. Rotana is positive that as long as the company is able to manage growth in an efficient way, then there is the scope to take up further properties.

Rotana has signed a joint venture with Orascom and SHUAA to manage five Centro by Rotana properties in Egypt. Most recently, SHUAA Capital Saudi Arabia, cjsc (SCSA), the Saudi Arabian subsidiary of SHUAA Capital psc, announced the signing of a master agreement with Rotana to develop 17 four & five-star hotels and resorts in addition to hotel apartments across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia comprising 5,500 rooms.

Rotana has fortified its position as Middle East leading hotel operator with the opening of 6 additional properties in United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Syria and Lebanon during 2009:

The Cove Rotana Resort, Ras El Khaimah has opened on 1st February 2009 and offers the discerning traveller 202 hotel rooms and 76 one, two and three bedroom villas ideally designed to accommodate families or a group of friends. This 5 star resort boasts more than 600 meters of beach, stunning waters and a multitude of activities. Indulgent amenities such as a well appointed leisure and fitness centre and an excellent choice of restaurants, bar and lounge, all come together to create a new and irresistible oasis of enchantment in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah.

Al Marwa Rayhaan by Rotana – Makkah, opened its door in August 2009, The new hotel is the first to open under the brand ‘Rayhaan Hotels & Resorts by Rotana’ – An Arabic name that refers to an aromatic plant mentioned in the sayings of prophet in the Holy Quran, Rayhaan reflects Rotana’s respect for the culture and beliefs of its guests and its dedication to fostering a new Arabia in today’s world. The property is situated on the right side of the Al Bayt Towers project, which faces King Abdul Aziz Gate and has an overview of the Holy Mosque and the Ka’aba, it offers 400 luxurious rooms and suites along with the choice of three restaurants at the hotel offering breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets in addition to