FRHI HOTELS & RESORTS TO GROW REGIONAL PRESENCE BY 50% BEFORE 2020
New Regional Headquarters Opens to Aid MEAI Expansion; Fairmont Properties in Riyadh and Ajman to Open by end of 2014
Almasalla Arab Travel Portal News – Dubai – FRHI Hotels & Resorts (FRHI), the parent company of luxury and upper upscale hotel brands Raffles Hotels & Resorts, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and Swissotel Hotels & Resorts, anticipates that growth in the Middle East, Africa and India (MEAI) region will reach 50% within the next five years.
In preparation for the anticipated regional expansion, FRHI has opened a new regional headquarters in Dubai to accommodate its growing MEAI team, which has increased from 32 in 2012 to 50 in 2013, and will reach 60 by the end of 2014. The MEAI regional office has a full scope of functions including Finance, Human Resources, Operations, Design and Construction, Technology, Food and Beverage, Development and Sales and Marketing.
“The MEAI region is among the fastest-growing for FRHI for both business and leisure travel as well as major events, and our investment in a regional hub places our leading hotel group in closer proximity to our properties and owners in this core strategic market,” stated Sami Nasser, Senior Vice President of Operations for FRHI in the Middle East, Africa and India.
Two key industry events, Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (AHIC) and Arabian Travel Market (ATM), will provide FRHI executives with a platform to discuss the company’s anticipated growth, including current projects in development and future openings.
Rami Moukarzel, Director of Development for Europe, Middle East & Africa, will outline the company’s expansion strategy as a speaker at AHIC, while Jennifer Fox, FRHI’s President, International and President, Fairmont Brand, is expected to share FRHI’s vision with owners, industry decision-makers and media during ATM.
Two new Fairmont properties are set to open in the GCC by the end of 2014. The beachfront resort, Fairmont Ajman in the United Arab Emirates, will feature 252 guestrooms and suites, including two luxurious penthouse offerings and a multitude of dining options and fitness facilities. Additionally, the hotel will boast a 2,000 square meter indoor function space as well as outdoor facilities. The second property is Fairmont Riyadh, Business Gate, in Saudi Arabia, which will be part of a new mixed-use development project comprised of a 287-room hotel, a 4,000 square meter convention center and commercial office property which will house multinational corporations as well as regional organizations.
“After almost a year of consolidation under the FRHI brand, we have the expertise, staff strength, infrastructure and relationships to significantly grow the number of FRHI-managed properties across the entire region. Our new premises, our destinations opening soon and the presence of our senior leadership during upcoming industry events all underscore FRHI’s commitment to this dynamic growth market,” added Sami Nasser. “With further announcements to be made at ATM regarding a 5 year expansion strategy for regional and international growth, FRHI is strongly set on an ambitious path of establishing itself as the preferred hospitality brand worldwide.”
