One of the largest investors in Jordan?s hotel industry, the Zara Investment (Holding) Company manages an investment portfolio of Jordanian subsidiaries operating in the tourism, real estate and agriculture sectors.

Jordanian hotels, the company?s primary focus, represent 90% of its investments. The Movenpick Resort PetraMovenpick Resort Petra and InterContinental JordanInterContinental Jordan were the first to be established, in 1996, followed by the Grand Hyatt AmmanGrand Hyatt Amman in 1998, which was rated in 2002 as the most successful hotel in Amman. Zara Investment also added to its portfolio the Movenpick Hotel and Spa Dead SeaMovenpick Hotel and Spa Dead Sea in 1999, the Nabatian Castle and Movenpick AqabaMovenpick Aqaba in 2000.

Other types of subsidiaries include the Zara Agricultural Company, which was established to supply Zara investment hotels with fruits and vegetables; and the South Coast Real Estate Development Company, which invests in commercial real estate projects.

Zara is listed on the Amman Stock ExchangeAmman Stock Exchange and employs 35% of Jordan?s 5-star hotel industry and 8.2% of the country?s tourism industry. The company plans to supplement its hotel portfolio with4-star hotels amounting to JOD10 million (USD14.1 million), through Jordan Himmeh MineralJordan Himmeh Mineral, one of its subsidiaries.