On course to meet its target of operating 100 hotels by 2020, hotel management company Rotana has a pipeline of 14 new properties set to open by the end of 2018.
Demand for the company's hotels seems to be on the rise, especially from British travelers. At Rotana hotels in Abu Dhabi, room nights from inbound UK guests grew 6.9 percent between 2016 and 2017. During the same period, Rotana also increased its percentage share of UK visitor room nights, compared to the city from 20.9 percent to 21.4 percent. Similarly, in Dubai, UK room nights at Rotana properties witnessed a year-on-year increase of 4.6 percent.
The figures are expected to rise further as the cities open four new hotels—The Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas, Pearl Rotana in Abu Dhabi, Al Bandar Rotana and Al Bandar by Arjaan Rotana Dubai—which will be added to the company's 34-hotel portfolio before the end of this year in the UAE.
In addition, the group will open new hotels in Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Iraq and Tanzania by the end of the next year as part of its plans to increase its global footprint. Saudi Arabia, thanks to its renewed drive to transform its economy and industries, also tops Rotana's list of markets for expansion. Three properties are scheduled to open in different cities of the Kingdom by 2018 with an emphasis on its Centro by Rotana brand. Omer Kaddouri, president & CEO of Rotana, said in a statement, "Saudi Arabia is heading for a phenomenal growth with massive scale up in investments and infrastructure projects. The recent announcements of new ambitious tourism projects have made it a more attractive market. The Kingdom will continue to be one of our key markets going forward. Turkey, which continues to attract tourists from across the world with its diverse offerings, is other major focus market for Rotana in the coming years." Rotana also has a large hotel pipeline for the untapped markets in Africa. "Our additional focus areas include Tanzania, where we will be opening our first five-star hotel in Dar Es Salaam," Kaddouri added.
Beyond 2018, Rotana has a pipeline of 48 properties in various stages of development. However, the hotel operator will open six hotels in the UAE, three in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, two in Turkey and one Iran, Iraq and Tanzania by the end of 2018:
Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas, Abu Dhabi
Opening on Saadiyat Island in Q4 2017, the Saadiyat Rotana resort will be near Abu Dhabi International Airport. The resort will have 327 guestrooms and suites and 13 beach villas.
Pearl Rotana, Abu Dhabi
Pearl Rotana, the second Rotana property to open in Abu Dhabi in Q4 2017, will have 315 guestrooms and suites. Near Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, the hotel will be in the center of Abu Dhabi's business district.
Al Bandar Rotana, Dubai
Scheduled to open in just over a month, Al Bandar Rotana is in Dubai Creek near Dubai International Airport. The property will have 190 guestrooms and suites.
Al Bandar Arjaan by Rotana, Dubai
Connected to Al Bandar Rotana, Al Bandar Arjaan will have 90 fully-furnished serviced apartments. The Rotana residences are also scheduled to open in Q4 2017.
Beach Arjaan by Rotana, Abu Dhabi
Beach Rotana will add 326 studios and apartments to its existing complex, which will be complete by Q1 2018. Beach Arjaan is in the center of the city, with shops, the new CBD Saadiyat Island and the Corniche nearby.
Centro Olaya, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
In center of Riyadh, the 156-guestroom Centro Olaya will be near the expanding business area of the city when it opens in Q1 2018.
Centro Corniche, Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia
This Centro hotel is on the Al Khobar Corniche near the sea. The Centro Corniche, which is opening in Q1 2018, will have 247 guestrooms and suites.
Centro Salama, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Next to Centro Shaheen, this is Rotana's second property under the Centro brand to open in the center of Jeddah. Centro Salama is near shopping centers, national embassies and business districts. The hotel opening in Q1 2018 will have 189 guestrooms and suites.
Centro WestSide Istanbul, Turkey
On the European side of Istanbul, in the Günesli neighborhood, this 152-guestroom hotel is close to Istanbul International Airport and commercial districts of the city. The hotel is set for a Q1 2018 opening.
WestSide Arjaan Istanbul by Rotana, Turkey
Connected to Centro Istanbul, this Arjaan property will have 153 fully-furnished hotel apartments. In the Günesli neighborhood, the residences also opening in Q1 2018 will be near shops, restaurants and cafés.
Johari Rotana, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
Set to be Rotana's first property in East Africa, Dar Es Salaam Rotana will be in the MNF Square in the Tanzanian capital Dar Es Salaam. The hotel will have 256 guestrooms and suites opening in Q1 2018.
Imam Reza Rayhaan by Rotana, Mashhad, Iran
The first Rotana property to open in Iran in Q3 2018, as part of the Rayhaan brand, this hotel is in Mashhad. The hotel is near the city's main cultural attractions, including the shrine of Imam Reza. The property will have 275 guestrooms and suites.
Slemani Rotana, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq
Opening in Q3 2018, Slemani Rotana will be in the center of Sulaymaniyah city with 240 guestrooms and suites.
Al Jaddaf Rotana, Dubai
Al Jaddaf Rotana will be in the developing hub of Al Jaddaf, Dubai's cultural village. The hotel will have 338 guestrooms and suites when it opens in Q4 2018.
Rotana currently manages a portfolio of over 100 properties throughout the Middle East, Africa and Turkey as part of its expansion plan. Rotana's hotel brands are Rotana Hotels & Resorts, Centro Hotels by Rotana, Rayhaan Hotels & Resorts by Rotana, Arjaan Hotel Apartments by Rotana and The Residences by Rotana.