Rotana Hotels announced a 40 per cent growth over the past 18 months.

The group presently manages 17 properties throughout the Middle East, with several ongoing expansions, imminent openings and new properties under negotiation.

According to Selim El Zyr, president and CEO, "Our ultimate goal is to have a Rotana managed property in all of the major Middle Eastern cities, and that will be achieved within the next few years."

He noted that next year would maintain the same momentum, as more hotel projects are already in the final stages of negotiation and development.

Rotana has moved into resort development with the two resorts in Egypt, the Coral Beach Tiran in Sharm El Sheikh and the Coral Beach Al Arish.

Zyr said that negotiations were also underway for the development of resorts on the Jumeirah Beach Front and the Palm Island development in Dubai.

"Development is an ongoing process, to maintain competitive advancement one needs to work harder and smarter," Zyr said.