Golden Tulip Hotels, Inns and Resorts is bringing its Royal Tulip chain to the Middle East, and the first of the new brand hotels will be seen in Oman, where the Royal Tulip Mirbat is set to open early next year.

Featuring 238 rooms, suites and chalets, extensive banqueting and meeting facilities, a state-of-the-art spa and health club and a wide variety of food and beverage options, the Royal Tulip Mirbat is located 75 kilometres from Salalah and will be Golden Tulip's seventh property in the Sultanate.
The region's second Royal Tulip will be in Tunisia when the conversion of the Golden Tulip Carthage is completed in 2008.
"The introduction of the Royal Tulip brand to the Middle East is spearheading a larger growth drive which will see us expand our portfolio to 50 hotels in the region by 2010," said Amine Moukarzel, senior vice-president and managing director, MENA, Golden Tulip Hotels, Inns and Resorts.
Golden Tulip Hotels, Inns and Resorts is amongst a handful of international companies operating in the three, four and five-star categories throughout the Middle East and North Africa.
"The launch of Royal Tulip comes in response to considerable demand from developers, investors and hotel owners and we believe our blend of international service with local ambience will prove extremely attractive to discerning travellers across the region."
Golden Tulip Hotels, Inns and Resorts also plans to continue expanding its other brands serving the three- and four-star segments.
By the end of this year, the company will open the 264 room, four-star Golden Tulip Sharjah and a major new property in Kuwait.
The company currently boasts 31 properties around the Gulf, Middle East and North Africa.