Movenpick Hotels & Resorts has been steadily expanding over the past years and is set to extend its portfolio to include 100 hotels by 2010.
At present the group is represented in 25 countries with over 80 hotels existing or under construction with a strong focus on Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.
“The cornerstone of our strategy is to create flagship and upscale new projects to strengthen our position in the Middle East, with a particular focus on the Gulf. Furthermore we are keen to expand our presence in the Asian markets especially Thailand, Singapore, China and the Indian subcontinent”, said Andreas Mattmüller, senior vice-president, Middle East & Asia.
The next two years will be banner years in the Middle East and Asia region. This year sees the opening of Mِvenpick Resort & Residence Al Bidaa Kuwait in June and Mِvenpick Hotel Al Khobar in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia towards the end of 2007.
Following this, Dubai will see the addition of three new properties set to open during the first quarter of 2008: Mِvenpick Hotel Deira, Mِvenpick Resort & Spa Palm Jumeirah, located on the outer crescent of The Palm Jumeirah and the Ibn Battuta Hotel Dubai Operated by Mِvenpick Hotels & Resorts.
“Since each of these new hotels is uniquely themed and strategically located around the city, we will be able to cater to every type of guest requirement from the business traveller to the leisure guest,” said Mattmüller.”
The group’s fourth Dubai property and second hotel on The Palm Jumeirah, the Mِvenpick Resort Oceana Palm Jumeirah is scheduled to open in 2008 and will be followed by Mِvenpick Hotel Jumeirah Beach, Mِvenpick Hotel Dubai Pearl, Mِvenpick Hotel & Residence Laguna Tower Dubai. Another resort is under construction in the emirate of Ajman.
Strong development is also scheduled in Saudi Arabia with the opening of four new hotels over the next twelve months in Al Khobar, Makkah, Yanbu and Riyadh. “Saudi Arabia is an important destination for us not only because of the relaxing of visa laws and the massive investment in infrastructure, but also because of the government’s vision to develop tourism,” he said.“We expect to see growth in year-round religious tourism and a rise in the corporate and government segments,” he said.
Future growth plans in the Middle East include Muscat and Abu Dhabi. Both Muscat and Abu Dhabi are currently undergoing major development in terms of hotels & resorts and both have tremendous potential as future MICE and leisure destinations according to Mattmüller.
“Amman is also an important focus for us. We already have four existing five star resorts in Jordan covering the Dead Sea, Aqaba and Petra, but feel it is vital to also have a city hotel in the capital to service both the leisure market, who visit Amman before they continue their tour of the destination, as well as to have a corporate base in Amman,” he said. The group’s portfolio will be expanded by more than 2700 new rooms in the near future.