THE Rezidor Hotel Group has announced a strong pipeline of projects with 17 hotels and 3,900 rooms under development in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region over the next three years.
This year will see the opening of two new properties in Oman – Park Inn by Radisson Duqm Hotel and Residence, and Radisson Blu Hotel, Sohar as well as its sixth property in Dubai, Park Inn by Radisson Residence Dubai Al Barsha, and the seventh hotel in Saudi Arabia – Park Inn by Radisson Riyadh Olaya.
Mark Willis, area vice president Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa for the Rezidor Hotel Group, says: “Key for us next year will be the rejuvenation of our food and beverage services for guests. We want to be seen as a market leader in the way we deliver food and drink to the customer.
“Just as we now refer to conference and banqueting as meetings and events, we have also replaced the term ‘food and beverage’ with the terminology ‘food and drink’.
 |
|
Willis |
“We have recruited a food and drink specialist at a senior corporate level and are focussed on increasing skills at property level. This along with our new food and drink concepts, currently in planning, sees us in a really strong position.”
As the group gears up to year of expansion, it will step up recruitment as well, offering more opportunities for the workforce.
“We will have a clear strategy in order to grow and retain our employees within the Rezidor organisation,” adds Willis.
Key source markets within the group has remained steady with the UK, CIS, Turkey and Germany faring strongly year-on-year. This year is expected to see an increase in visitors from the Far East, particularly South Korea and Malaysia.
The Rezidor Hotel Group is a member of the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, one of the world’s ten largest hotel groups. Rezidor features a portfolio of more than 430 hotels in operation and under development with 95,000 rooms in 70 countries. Rezidor operates the brands Radisson Blu and Park Inn by Radisson in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), along with the Club Carlson loyalty programme for frequent hotel guests.
Under a worldwide licence agreement with the iconic Italian fashion house Missoni, Rezidor also operates and develops the luxury lifestyle brand Hotel Missoni. Following a Strategic Alliance Agreement with Regent Hotels & Resorts, Rezidor will develop and operate new Regent properties in EMEA.