Hospitality firms earmark global expansion initiatives

Inayat-ur-Rahman, Senior Staff Reporter

The Arabian Travel Market is marching ahead. A cross-section of exhibitors share their candid views with Gulf Today on Wednesday.

Warwick Hotels & Resorts: Warwick Hotels & Resorts (WHR), a global hospitality company present in 25 countries around the world, announced its expansion plans on Wednesday for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Accelerating its expansion across the area, the group has set an ambitious target of 25 hotels representing 2,500 room by 2025. The company currently operates 16 hotels in the Mena region spread across Saudi Arabia,  Turkey and Lebanon, both in 4- and 5- star categories. In addition, it has a strong development pipeline with six new properties coming up in Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Bahrain and Lebanon.

 Jamal Serhan, Senior Vice President and CEO MENA, Warwick Hotels & Resorts (WHR), stated: “We are focused on expanding our presence in the GCC in the 4- and 5-star segment, especially in Saudi Arabia with an overall target to reach 25 hotels by 2025 in the MENA region. The Kingdom, that commands a giant’s share of the Arab GDP, holds strong potential for the growth of tourism and hospitality sector in accordance with Saudi Vision 2030 and we are delighted to be part of it. New leisure and tourism facilities in KSA are forecasted to fuel domestic tourism at 8% per year until 2023 as well as boost international arrivals to 23.3 million.  Hence, investment in Saudi Arabia is very important for us and will hold strong benefits for our company. We will be opening in Riyadh this year two hotels one with 100 rooms and one with 90 rooms. We also have another property coming up in Dammam with 105 keys.”

 Elaborating on Warwick’s compelling brand proposition,  Serhan stated, “Warwick Hotels & Resorts has a proven track record of over 38 years for delivering results and outperforming the very best in hotel management, starting from its first hotel, the iconic Warwick New York, acquired in 1980.”

 Two Seasons Hotels:  Two Seasons Hotels management company, participated as an exhibitor in Arabian Travel Market 2019 under the Two Seasons Hotels & Hotel Apartments FZ LLC.

“The inspiration behind the foundation of Two Seasons Hotel Management Company was the introduction of new living concepts. The one that reflects and answers the growing and ever-changing trends towards the specialisation of hospitality products that cater to a variety of travellers including corporate guests, business and leisure groups, families and children, long-term guests and independent travellers; ensuring the brand name is recognised as being synonymous with absolute excellence,” said Freddy Farid, Managing Director of Two Seasons Hotel & Apartments Dubai.

The Two Seasons brand represent deluxe hotels and guarantee guests fine accommodation, excellent services and unique friendly atmosphere. The creation of the home-grown brand will certainly enhance the guest interaction, by offering personalized services and quality standards to the guests.

Following the same concept and guideline as the first hotel of the brand it will gather 188 stylish lifestyle hotel rooms, the new property will be located in Dubai and is expected to open by 2021 with a swimming pool, all day dining restaurant and a health club.

 Atmosphere Hotels:Following the recent announcement of the upcoming property by Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts – VARU by Atmosphere opening in late 2019 in North Malé Atoll – the fast-growing Indian Ocean based hospitality brand has now unveiled further bold expansion plans for four more properties that are set to open between 2020 and 2021 across the Maldives and Sri Lanka.

In a cluttered market, Atmosphere’s consistent success has been driven by its steadfast commitment in delivering an innovative approach to the typical beach holiday experience. Offering the discerning global traveller with uniquely formulated all-encompassing resort plans which have proven high customer satisfaction and a loyalty unmatched by competitors. The group has continued to launch and establish consecutive successful products with a best-in-class positioning since its inception in 2013.

 Stephane Laguette, Executive Vice President Sales & Marketing at Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts, comments: “Our rapid expansion plans are a true indication of the Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts world-class offerings and services . We’re extremely delighted to be able to welcome even more visitors to the Atmosphere way of being in both the Maldives and Sri Lanka. It has always been our mission to create unique, authentic, and beyond imaginary Maldivian experiences that will create life-long memories.”

 “The secret behind our successful operation is our strong brand portfolio; OZEN, our flagship luxury resort, OBLU at Helengeli and OBLU SELECT at Sangeli, our superior and deluxe resorts, and the original Atmosphere resort, five-star Atmosphere Kanifushi. Our core philosophy, ‘The Joy of Giving’, which is all about a holistic guest-centric experience, offers those who choose Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts an all-encopassing, hassle-free holiday.”