30 Apr 2007
Dubai: The Government of Ras Al Khaimah will set up a Dh10 billion tourism and hospitality hub, International Hospitality Trade and Training Zone' (ihottz) on 350 acres of prime real estate, a statement said.
Ras Al Khaimah's Investment and Development Office (IDO) yesterday announced the joint venture with US-based Argentum Development Company LLC to construct ihottz.
"Located in Ras Al Khaimah, ihottz, estimated to cost Dh10 billion, will include a 260-acre hospitality industry free trade zone development and an additional 90-acre hospitality education campus. ihottz will provide focused trade support services and multi-level professional training for the expanding and dynamic hospitality industry in the region and beyond," the statement said.
ihottz is one-of-a-kind; a hospitality trade and training hub that addresses the needs of every segment of the international hospitality and tourism industry.
Facilities
"This project will enable Ras Al Khaimah to meet all the demands of the booming hospitality industry in the region," Dr Izzat Dajani, IDO chief executive, said.
"ihottz will form strategic alliances with local and global companies that supply and cater to the hospitality industry in the region, thus becoming the world's first "Hospitality Super Hub," he said.
The 90 acre ihottz Hospitality Training Campus offers a comprehensive and practical solution for the hospitality industry's worldwide and persistent challenge of securing a dedicated, qualified and experienced workforce.
A world renowned hospitality university will provide four-year accredited undergraduate degree and two-year master degree programmes in hotel and hospitality management. In addition, the Hospitality Technical College will offer accredited programmes and trademarked certificated in specific disciplines of the industry and for the entry level workforce.
The Hospitality Training Campus will also include a Culinary School, Entrepreneurial College, Language and Call Centre Training School, Security and Concierge Training Facility, and an 80,000 square foot Spa Aesthetics and Sports Training Building. Furthermore, the campus will benefit from a working travel agency and Travel Industry Training Centre.
"ihottz is a dynamic project that will differentiate the UAE from other centres of hospitality and tourism. Nowhere in the world does exist such a grouping of educational entities totally devoted to hospitality and tourism education," commented Dr Stuart Mann, Dean of the prestigious William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration, University of Nevada in Las Vegas.
The master plan for the ihottz Education Campus includes multiple building sites to accommodate the construction of first class built-to-suit offices that will act as regional headquarters for global hotel chain operators.
Firas Eid, Principal at Delloite Touche Middle East added "Considering the significant growth of the hospitality industry in the region, ihottz makes absolute sense."
By Staff Reporter
Gulf News 2007. All rights reserved.
