Rotana, a prominent hotel group, is partnering with real estate development company Memar to grow its hospitality offerings in Saudi Arabia. Through these five partnerships, Rotana plans to add 618 keys in Riyadh, expanding its portfolio. The CEO of Rotana, Guy Hutchinson, shared this news during an exclusive interview at the Future Hospitality Summit in Riyadh. Their goal is to achieve a total of 6,000 rooms within the next four years of operation in the Kingdom.
VARIOUS STAGES OF COMPLETION
Hutchinson mentioned that the projects are at different stages of completion. One hotel already exists, and Rotana will assume control of it almost immediately. The other four hotels are currently under construction. They will be completed at different points in time. The CEO stated that the first three or four hotels will be operational within 15 to 18 months.
BRAND DIFFERENTIATION
There will be a total of five hotels. Four of them will operate under the "Edge by Rotana" brand. Then the fifth will operate under the "Rayhaan by Rotana" brand. Rayhaan is a four-star hotel with banquet facilities for weddings and events. But Edge Hotels will cater to the three- to four-star market and provide a modern and unique experience. These hotels will at large focus on corporate travellers and weekend visitors to Riyadh, offering amenities tailored to their business needs.
EXPANSION TO AL-BAHA
Rotana has new projects in Al-Baha, a city located in the Hejaz region of western Saudi Arabia, according to Hutchinson. The company already has eight hotels in the Kingdom, and Hutchinson expects more growth and signings in the future. The Kingdom's hospitality sector is growing at a rapid pace, he emphasised.
FOCUS ON LOCAL TALENT
Hutchinson thinks Saudi Vision 2030 is important for local talent to grow. Rotana helps Saudi nationals through management programs, where 50 to 53 people are currently involved.
Also, the CEO believes local talent is important for success in Saudi Arabia. So, Rotana wants to expand the local workforce and support the hospitality industry, which has always been a place for training hospitality professionals.
OVERVIEW OF ROTANA’S STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP WITH MEMAR
In conclusion, Rotana's strategic partnerships with Memar will enable the company to expand its hospitality portfolio in Saudi Arabia, focusing on Riyadh and future projects in Al-Baha. By offering different brands and investing in local talent, Rotana aims to contribute to the growth of Saudi Vision 2030 and the overall development of the hospitality sector in the Kingdom.
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