After UK entry, hotel operator Rotana rates Saudi Arabia, Egypt as offering more
This Summer could yet see MENA based hotels pulling more than their weight
Dubai: After signing up for its first UK presence, Abu Dhabi-based hotel operator Rotana rates Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Central and Eastern Africa as ripe for opportunities, citing strong government support and infrastructure.
“There are definitely significant (hospitality) hubs emerging in that space,” said Guy Hutchinson, Rotana’s CEO.
Even with all its existing hotels in the UAE, the home market remains central to the operator’s medium-term prospects. “There’s such a defined plan and infrastructure put around,” the CEO said. “The governments clear about the contribution of travel and tourism to the economy, and that’s backed by resources, which is really fuelling growth. And you’re seeing a lot of hospitality operators grow.”
Read more
- ATM 2023: UAE travel and hotel industry has what it takes to go bigger
- ATM 2023: New Qatar Airways’ destinations depends on aircraft deliveries, says CEO
- ATM 2023: Budget airline flydubai to raise summer seating capacity to 5m
- ATM 2023: After hotels, holiday homes could well be Saudi Arabia's next growth story
Rotana, on Monday, confirmed its entry into the UK with the launch of two properties under its affordable hotel and serviced apartment brand, Centro.
Post Qatar World Cup growth
Hutchinson also spoke about Rotana’s experience with the World Cup preparations in Qatar last year and how its hotels have fared since the event. “We’ve seen the whole infrastructure around Doha and Qatar completely rejuvenated now, that impact will be there for the next 10 years. The way the Doha market performed post World Cup has completely exceeded our expectations.”
As for prospects this Summer, “One of the strengths about this year is how uniform the region has been in leading global occupancy numbers (for the hotel sector),” said Hutchinson. “Whether in Morocco or Egypt, and all the way through the UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.”