2012 promises to be exciting year for Rotana Group, as the company readies to open eight new hotels across the Middle East. Tourism in the UAE recorded a solid growth in 2011, with Dubai witnessing a 10 per cent increase year-on-year while Abu Dhabi’s data for the first seven months of 2011 showed a 15 per cent year-on-year increase in tourists.
Selim El Zyr, president & CEO of Rotana Group said, “The twin engines of UAE tourism industry, Emirates and Etihad Airlines will help ensure growth in the short/long term and will continue to aggressively market the UAE in key generator markets. Both airlines, in addition to Air Arabia and flyDubai, play a big role in boosting tourism in the UAE and most important to promote the UAE worldwide.”
El Zyr adds that the UAE will continue to capture the imagination and attention of the world as it continues to boost its world-class infrastructure, develop iconic projects and host international events boosting its image and increasing tourism.
“Diversification into new tourism segment, from sports to medical, increased promotion in, opening of new generator markets (India, Russian, China, US, Africa), enhanced and diversified transportation infrastructure, and channels (new cruise terminal, budget carriers) all point towards a very healthy future for the tourism and hospitality industry. Business travel too has seen strong growth as the UAE is not only a hub destination but the main platform for conducting business in the region now,” he says.
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El Zyr… exploring new markets including Jordan with the Boulevard Arjaan by Rotana (above) set to open later this year |
However the rest of the region has proved to be more challenging. “We have been affected in markets like Syria and Egypt but we hope that the situation will settle down soon,” he said. “While Syria continues to remain critical, Rotana’s four resorts in Egypt, the five-star Grand Rotana Resort & Spa – Sharm El Sheikh and the four-star Coral Beach Rotana Resorts in Tiran, Montazah and Hurghada are all witnessing a steady increase in leisure business post the revolution. Airlines from the UK and the traditional European feeder markets have increased their flights to Sharm and Hurghada while hotels gearing up to welcome guests.”
Rotana will continue working with all channels to increase the business and maintain market share across all markets. The group has enhanced their market coverage through sales offices in the Middle East, our International sales office in the UK, Germany, India, China and Moscow. “This is addition to our marketing campaigns, various packages, social media activities and of course public relations,” he added.
This year the group is positioned to open seven new properties across the region including the Al Ghurair Rayhaan by Rotana and the Al Ghurair Arjaan by Rotana, Dubai, both opening Q2 2012. Boulevard Arjaan by Rotana, Jordan (Q1 2012), Centro Capital Centre, Abu Dhabi (Q2 2012), Capital Centre Rotana, Abu Dhabi (Q3 2012), Salalah Rotana Resort & Spa, Oman (Q4 2012), City Centre Rotana, Doha (Q3 2012) and Majestic Arjaan by Rotana, Bahrain (Q4 2012).