With the second phase of the landmark Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea set to open this month, Duncan O’Rourke, regional director of the Middle East and general manager, Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea, tells TTN the ATM will be a key time to network with the trade.
Excerpts:
What are your aims for ATM?
As a relatively new hotel, our aim is to raise the profile of the Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea as one of the most sought-out destinations in the region, combining unparalleled service, supreme meeting facilities, stunning accommodation, and gourmet dining and leisure facilities, all set in an incomparable natural environment. We will seek to establish more contacts with local and international tour operators and industry associates and invite them to explore prospective business opportunities with our very unique property.
What’s the response been so far?
Overwhelmingly positive and it looks as if this trend is set to continue with the addition of our new facilities in May. Guests love coming here to experience the exclusive hideaway environment the hotel offers, with luxurious facilities and attentive service in the amazing natural surrounds of the Jordan Valley and Dead Sea.
What can guests expect from the second phase of your Ishtar property?
Upon the completion of our main building in May the hotel will have an additional 201 rooms and suites comprised of 137 superior rooms, 51 junior suites, 11 executive suites and two penthouses. These rooms and suites join the existing 117, making up a total of 318.
During 2007 the resort will also open the Grand Ballroom, accommodating up to 800 guests, extensive meeting facilities and an auditorium seating 228 people, and 10,000sqm of holistic wellness facilities at the Anantara Spa, the largest in the Middle East.
What source markets are you hoping for?
Jordan enjoys a high percentage of business from the GCC and is a very popular and convenient destination for regional travellers; therefore they are one of our key target markets. However, there are increasing numbers of tourists coming in from Europe and Russia every year, attracted by the unique history and climate of the Dead Sea area. Considering this, we are very active with the Jordan Tourism Board in promoting both Jordan and the Dead Sea as a destination at international trade shows in the interests of further boosting inbound travel from Europe.
By Clark Kelly