The China–Pakistan Economic Corridor is giving hotel companies ample reason to develop their brands in Pakistan—but finding the right partner is key.
It's happening for Hyatt Hotels Corporation, which reportedly signed an agreement with Bahria Town, Asia’s largest private real estate developer, to develop four Hyatt-branded properties across Pakistan at an investment of more than $600 million.
CPEC is intended to rapidly expand and upgrade Pakistani infrastructure as well as deepen and broaden economic links between Pakistan and the People's Republic of China.
Marking Hyatt’s entry into Pakistan, the hotels will reportedly will be the Grand Hyatt Islamabad, Hyatt Regency Karachi, Hyatt Regency Lahore and Hyatt Regency Rawalpindi.
Regarding the deal, Malik Riaz, chairman of Bahria Town, said, “This is an extremely proud moment for Bahria Town. Our vision is to work with the best partners and play our positive role to usher in a new era of economic growth and development in Pakistan. This contract reiterates our and international partners confidence in Pakistan. We look forward to the opening of the hotels and together with Hyatt provides a new standard of service and hospitality to this region.”
“We look forward to collaborating with the Bahria Town team to open the first Grand Hyatt and Hyatt Regency hotels in Pakistan,” said Peter Norman, SVP, acquisitions and development – Europe, Africa, and Middle East (EAME) and Southwest Asia for Hyatt. “Following last year’s announcement for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), we are optimistic about the growth of Hyatt’s brands in Pakistan. The opening of these hotels will serve as a testament to the global appeal of the Grand Hyatt and Hyatt Regency brands as they continue to expand worldwide and offer more choices to our guests.”
“Bahria Town is building the new face of Pakistan as we continue to develop lifestyle destinations by investing in high-end assets in key destinations throughout Pakistan,” says Ahmed Ali Riaz Malik, CEO of Bahria Town. He added, “We are excited to work with Hyatt as we are bringing the first Hyatt-branded hotels to Pakistan. We continue to invest only in Pakistan and the agreement for four major cities in Pakistan is a testament to our confidence in the growth of the country. Moreover through this, we hope to play our role in revitalising hospitality sector in Pakistan and help boost tourism.”
Hyatt Regency Karachi will feature Pakistan’s first night-lit 36-hole golf. It will offer a range of amenities, as well as spaces that will make the 200 guestroom (approx.) hotel a go-to gathering place for any occasion. Guests will, of course, have full access to the golf course, nine holes of which are already complete. Strategically located at 20 minutes drive from Jinnah International Airport, and access from 210 ft wide Jinnah Avenue in Bahria Town Karachi this hotel will play a vital role in serving the growing needs for quality facilities and services in the financial capital of Pakistan. Guests can explore the nearby Bahria Town Karachi attractions including international standard theme park, Bahria Night Safari, Pakistan’s largest cricket stadium, dancing fountains and world’s third largest Masjid; these together will also help provide a valuable support to the tourism and entertainment industry in Pakistan.
Grand Hyatt Islamabad will offer 400 guestrooms, seven food and beverage outlets, two ballrooms, seven meeting rooms, a full serviced spa, fitness facilities, private club, and kids club. The hotel will be the first internationally branded golf resort in Pakistan, with Hyatt managing the 18-hole golf course and the state-of-the-art golf club house. The entire Grand Hyatt Resort will form part of a high-security, gated-access, mixed-use development, Bahria Golf City, easily accessible from the Murree-Islamabad Expressway, which connects directly to Islamabad's city center and diplomatic area 30 minutes away. Beame Architectural Partnership, Florida, a recognised design award-winning firm has designed the hotel while Wilsons responsible for Dubai Atlantis have done the interior. Construction of the hotel is well underway.
Hyatt Residency Lahore is a 220-room hotel housed in a soaring purpose-built tower. Additionally, the hotel’s highlight is the exclusive private members’ club ‘President’s Club’, with interiors resonating exclusivity and offering remarkable food and beverage outlets, premium meeting spaces, well appointed gym and spa, tennis courts and banquet facilities, splendid indoor and outdoor swimming pool, among other amenities. Hotel is under construction and interior of the club is in the final stages.
Hyatt Regency Rawalpindi is strategically located with direct approach to GT Road and Islamabad Highway. The guests will find themselves at a short distance of Islamabad international airport and the city centre. 165-bed hotel is designed by Nayyer Ali Dada, award winning architect hailing from Pakistan responsible for many of iconic buildings including Gaddafi Stadium Lahore and Alhamra Arts Council Lahore. Construction of the hotel is well underway.
These projects also formally mark the expansion of Bahria Town into the luxury hospitality sector in Pakistan.