ROTANA is continuing its aggressive expansion plan with the scheduled opening of two new properties in Dubai in the third quarter of this year. The five-star Al Khor Rayhaan by Rotana and the deluxe hotel apartments Al Khor Arjaan by Rotana will be a part of the new extension of the Al Ghurair shopping complex. The Al Khor properties will be located on the Riqqa Road in Deira. With the opening of the two hotels, Rotana will have eight properties in the UAE under the Arjaan Hotel Apartments by Rotana brand and three in the UAE under the alcohol free brand Rayhaan Hotels & Resorts by Rotana. The two properties will be part of Rotana’s $800-million expansion programme which will see six new hotels opening in the UAE in 2011. Omer Kaddouri, Rotana’s chief operating officer said: 'The total number of 7,888 rooms managed by Rotana in the UAE confirms the company’s strong dedication to delivering premium hospitality and services to our guests.' Al Khor Rayhaan by Rotana and Al Khor Arjaan by Rotana are properties which have been developed with leisure, corporate, long-term guests and families in mind. Both feature the latest high-tech facilities as well as a wide choice of food and beverage venues, one ballroom and six fully-equipped meeting rooms with the most up-to-date audio-visual equipment. Guests can unwind and relax at any of the numerous leisure facilities including Zen The Spa at Rotana, a swimming pool, a fully-fledged fitness centre, Jacuzzi, sauna and massage rooms. According to Kaddouri the company expects its average occupancy rate to increase by nine per cent in 2011. 'The properties are all seeing a surge in arrival numbers, some markets more than others. Lebanon was the best performing country considering the tourism boom that the country has experienced. Egypt is expected to see improved occupancies post summer but not necessarily on rates' he said. 'Our property in Libya, which was just about to get off the ground is on stand-by currently. We have projects that are still under development in Morocco and Algeria, while the two properties planned for Bahrain might see some delays, but things are back on track,' he added. Rotana’s strategic aim is to have a property located in every key city of the Middle East and Africa. 'Location is our main focus when it comes to deciding on managing a property. We see a lot of potential in Iraq, Lebanon is witnessing a tourism boom while Qatar’s World Cup 2022 bid offers us plenty of opportunities,' said Kaddouri. 'Another market in terms of potential for growth for us, and any other company today, is Saudi Arabia. We already have one operating hotel in Makkah and five more that have been signed. Saudi Arabia will be one of our biggest markets in the near future. The domestic tourism market in Saudi Arabia is massive, while the inbound market continues to grow. The country’s new economic cities are whetting the appetite for new investors and newer opportunities.' The company also has plans to expand outside the region in the near future. 'Today we are in a position to be able to take our brand beyond the region, but will move strategically, staying close,' explained Kaddouri. 'Turkey, Pakistan, India, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, East Africa – areas that are still within our proximity is where we would like to grow. 'Our brand is recognised by tour operators and corporate business travellers and expanding into these regions will only reinforce our brand positioning in the periphery around the Mena region.'