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THE ROTANA PROMISE
As part of its GCC roadshow, Rotana Hotels announced its expansion plans for Qatar’s market with the opening of three new properties before the end of 2018. By Keertana Koduru
S
et to usher in a new era of hospitality experience in Qatar, Rotana, one of the leading hotel management companies in the Middle East, South Asia and Eastern Europe, announced the opening of its three new properties – Centro by Rotana, Plaza Rayhaan by Rotana Doha and Downtown Arjaan by Rotana Doha. While the 220-key Centro Capital Doha will open for business in the first quarter of 2016, the Plaza Rayhaan Doha (400 keys) and Downtown Arjaan Doha (225 keys) are scheduled to open in 2017 and 2018, respectively. The company has seen a significant revolution in the last few years of its growth in the region. The last two have been about strengthening its relations in the GCC. Speaking of the expansion plans, Chief Operating Officer of Rotana Group Guy Hutchinson said, “12 new hotels in the next 12 months is our plan and the pace that we are moving ahead at. We have five new hotels opening in Saudi Arabia in this year. Our brands have also seen a global expansion. We will be opening our first hotel in Kinshasa, sub-Saharan Africa, Kinshasa this year alongside the opening of two new hotels in Istanbul after their success with Burgu and Tango. Turning his attention to the Qatar market, Hutchinson pointed out that with Qatar Tourism Authority’s plans to attract seven million visitors per year by 2030, the hospitality sector’s direct contribution to the economy is expected to amount to 3.1% of national GDP. “Qatar is home to a diverse range of cultural attractions, which include both natural and man-made assets. Moreover,
88 > QATAR TODAY > MARCH 2016