South Africa's biggest casino operator Sun International, which last year announced plans to expand into Egypt, Nigeria and Chile as part of a global acquisition plan, has scrapped its Egyptian development plans.
A joint announcement released last month stated, “The MA Kharafi Group and Sun International have had a collaborative relationship in the development of the Port Ghalib Resort.
“It has been amicably decided by these groups to bring an end to this relationship. Intercontinental has been appointed as the new operator of the resort.”
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) later announced that Sovereign Hospitality Holdings, owned by the MA Kharafi Group of Kuwait, had awarded IHG the exclusive management contract for Port Ghalib Resort, in Marsa Alam, Egypt. The resort will now feature an InterContinental Hotel, two Crowne Plaza hotels and a state-of-the-art International Convention Centre. IHG will also manage the Marina Lodge Hotel which will remain individually branded. IHG commenced operation of the four primary properties from last month.
John Bamsey, chief operating officer, IHG, Middle East & Africa said, “This is a very significant moment for IHG and we are delighted to have been presented with this fantastic opportunity by Sovereign Hospitality Holdings. IHG has partnered several projects with Sovereign Hospitality Holdings and have formed a strong and lasting relationship. We look forward to continuing this partnership as we take the reigns of Port Ghalib Resort.”
Strategically located on the coast of the Red Sea, the InterContinental The Palace, Port Ghalib Resort, has 309 and includes 14 royal suites.
The Crowne Plaza Sahara Sands Port Ghalib Resort incorporating 347 rooms and the Crowne Plaza Sahara Oasis Port Ghalib Resort with 292 rooms offer guests a distinctively different accommodation option. Arabian themed and richly decorated the two properties encompass the northern and eastern sides of the manmade lagoon. The Marina Lodge Hotel incorporates 203 rooms, and also houses a PADI diving school.
Guests have the option to dine at any one of the six restaurants available within the four hotels.
In the International Convention Centre is a ballroom with seating for 1,500 people and 18 meeting rooms equipped with the latest in digital technology.
Mohamed Fahmy, chief executive of Sovereign Hospitality Holdings said, “Sovereign Hospitality Holdings is very pleased to once again be working alongside IHG. IHG have a strong and successful reputation throughout the world for providing guests with quality hotel accommodation, making them the ideal choice to provide the services for Port Ghalib Resort. Their commitment to both their owners and guests is unparalleled and Sovereign Hospitality Holdings looks forward to continuing this mutually beneficial relationship.
We want travellers to experience a holiday unlike anything they have had before, whether they be staying with us for leisure or business. Port Ghalib attracts visitors from across the globe looking for a peaceful getaway, nestled on the Egyptian Red Sea.”
IHG currently has 79 properties and 19,467 rooms across five hotel brands in the Middle East & Africa region. There are a further 41 properties and 10,819 rooms in the development pipeline.