Accor to build Sofitel Hotel in Zallaq
Accor, one of the largest hotel chains in the Middle East/Africa region with 1,240 suites, will bring its most luxurious brand Sofitel to Bahrain as the company expects the new property in Zallaq area will be operational by the year 2009.
Anouck Weiss, Vice-President International Communications Accor Hotels and Resorts, in an interview told Bahrain Tribune that Sofitel Hotel will bring a totally new concept of hospitality and hotel industry to the Kingdom.
Accor is already present in Bahrain and has proved its leadership in the hospitality industry with having two attractive properties - Novotel Al Dana Resort and Mercure Grand Hotel Seef.
Weiss said that Accor would explore all possible opportunities of its expansion in the GCC with several openings, including the one in Bahrain already on the hands.
"The Middle East has emerged as one of the most growing markets in the hospitality and tourism sectors.
The markets like Dubai, Saudi Arabia and Qatar have immense opportunities and growth potential for exclusive brands of Accor group. Accor has been chosen by the Munshaat Group, a major Kuwaiti investment company, to manage the largest, most luxurious hotel in the Middle East/Africa region, located in Makkah, Saudi Arabia."
She said: "A five-star establishment, the Zam Zam Sofitel Grand Suites, is currently being built at a cost of $600 million. The group's long-standing presence in the region, its commitment to sharing skills, and the widespread recognition and reputation of the Sofitel brand were the determining factors in the decision to award the contract to Accor.
"With 1,240 suites, the Zam Zam Sofitel Grand Suites is part of the prestigious Al Beit Towers complex. It is being built on 91,000 square metres of land owned by the King Abdulaziz Foundation and dedicated to the two Holy Mosques. Located 100 metres from the Kaaba, the 34-storey complex enjoys a direct, panoramic view of the Haram courts.
"Unrivaled in the Gulf area, the hotel complex will include a convention centre, a shopping mall and a floor of restaurants that can seat up to 5,000. Most of the suites - more than 1,000 - will be marketed on a time-share basis. Accor will manage all of the establishment's hotel services. The hotel will have capacity for 6,000 customers and employ 1,500 people."
She added: "With 17 hotels (3,521 rooms) in the Near and Middle East, Accor plans to increase its regional base to 25 hotels and more than 5,000 rooms over the next three years. Throughout the course of the last few years, Sofitel has become a major player in the international upper upscale hotel market, with 185 properties that bring a unique French 'art de vivre' to prime locations around the world. Sofitel is now present in all of the major business cities, all the leading holiday resorts and in key international airports."
By Mehmood Rafique Business Correspondent
Bahrain Tribune 2006
