IHG has inked a management agreement with Acico Gulf Real Estate to turn the Nassima Royal Hotel into the Voco Dubai, marking the first signing of the chain's new upscale hotel brand in the Middle East.
Hosted by IHG’s senior leadership team, the Middle East launch was attended by the global Voco team, including the brand’s F&B and design specialists.
IHG launched Voco in June to strengthen its position in the $40-billion upscale segment, which is expected to grow by $20 billion by 2025.
Located on the Sheikh Zayed Road and close to Dubai International Airport, the 471-key Voco Dubai has 1,000 square meters of meeting space, a business center, an outdoor swimming pool, a gym and a spa. The hotel also has multiple dining options, including a lobby bar, pool bar and three restaurants.
“The Dubai market is ever-changing and maturing,” said Pascal Gauvin, IHG's managing director for India, Middle East and Africa in a statement. "in the UAE alone, the unbranded accommodations market makes up 60 percent of the total hospitality sector. As such, we believe that the Emirate now requires a unique offering like Voco to cater to mindful and self-determined audiences.”
IHG currently operates 88 hotels across five brands in the Middle East, including InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express and Staybridge Suites. An additional 30 hotels are in the development pipeline (as of Sept. 30) and due to open within the next three to five years.