Niharika Shukla – New Delhi
Rotana Hotel Management Corporation conducted its first India sales mission in New Delhi recently wherein it revealed its plans for the India market. The company aims to open 20 properties within the next 10 years in India. The company is looking at potential asset owners across tier one and tier two cities in India. Focusing on 25 cities at the moment, the company plans to announce its first project within the next six months. With an aim to achieve 14-15 per cent business growth from India, it is planning to invest US$ three-five million over the next few years.
Andy Nightingale, director, international sales, Rotana Hotel Management Corporation said, “Being the highest revenue generating market, India is the most appropriate market for us. Tourism boards of Dubai and Abu Dhabi have been cooperative with us and we are here to further promote our brands in India. We have observed 40 per cent traffic growth from the country since our sales presence here in India from the last three years. Middle East is quite popular as a tourist market today and we receive not only leisure but also business travellers and then there are families who want a longer stay which our brand Arjaan Hotel Apartments provides.”
The group has a portfolio of 85 properties under its name located around Middle East, Africa, South Asia and Eastern Europe. Rotana Hotels has four brands under its name – Rotana Hotels and Resorts, Centro Hotels by Rotana, Rayhaan Hotels & Resorts and Arjaan Hotel Apartments by Rotana. The brand will be coming up with two five-star properties shortly, one being Salalah Rotana Resort in Oman and another one being Saadiyat Rotana Resort to be opened in 2015.
Some of the general managers present at the sales mission included Mrad El Khoury, Towers Rotana, Dubai; Rabih Melhem, Media Rotana, Dubai; Karim Nahas, Rose Rayhaan, Dubai; Hussein Hachem, Al Bustan & Al Murooj Rotana, Dubai; Jorg A Hauri, Beach Rotana, Abu Dhabi; Mark Deere, Yas Island Rotana & Centro Yas Island, Abu Dhabi and Pierre Zayoun, Al Manshar Rotana, Kuwait.
“We are looking at India as a potential market wherein we can invest in terms of setting up of outbound sales operation. We currently operate under four brand names and we have plans to launch our properties in India soon. Increasing our MICE share is one of our main objectives. This is our first roadshow in India and we are expecting a positive response from the Indian market. Media Rotana in Dubai is one of the finest hotels providing 441 rooms and suites, 14 meeting rooms, five dining venues and a fitness and health club. The location of the hotel also allows one to access the nearby golf course, beaches and shopping malls,” said Melhem, general manager, Media Rotana, Dubai.
