BEST WESTERN International has signed an agreement to take on its first hotel in Iraq.
The contract for the Best Western Premier Erbil Hotel was agreed between Glenn de Souza, Best Western International’s vice president international operations – Asia & the Middle East, and Halgord Azzo, CEO of the Golden Mountains Company which owns the property.
De Souza said: “Compared to other countries in the region, Iraq holds good promise when considering the economy, the people, the salaries and financial resources. It is a promising destination that holds vast potential as both a major business centre and a fascinating tourism spot. With Best Western Premier Erbil Hotel, the destination will benefit from the global sales and marketing reach, revenue generation and promotional power enjoyed by Best Western.”
Construction is expected to start in September 2011, in a prime location close to the recently built international airport. Erbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan, is the country’s fourth largest city and a prominent trading centre with key road links. Air access has also increased, with a number of international carriers now serving Iraq.
Best Western Premier Erbil Hotel is due to open in the second quarter 2014 in Erbil city. The hotel will offer 160 rooms and suites as well as a restaurant, lobby lounge, spa, meeting and conference facilities and a casino.