IFA Hotels, KHI extending alliance into Zanzibar
KUWAIT CITY : IFA Hotels & Resorts (IFA HR), with strategic partner Kingdom Hotel Investments ("KHI") announce the appointment of international Swiss Hotel operator Movenpick Hotels & Resorts (Movenpick), to manage its new luxury resort on the exotic 'Spice Island' of Zanzibar, location off the East coast of Africa. the resort will open under the name 'Movenpick Resort & Spa-Zanzibar.' Talal Jasim Al-Bahar, Chairman and Managing Director for IFA HR, stated that "our brand acquisition and developer partnerships will continue, as it part of our growth strategy. We are conscious of the fact that our success has been built through mutually beneficial alliances with our world class strategic partners, such as KHI and Movenpick Hotels & Resorts. We will continue to build on these relationships in the future."
Werner Burger, IFA HR President & COO, said "The appointment of Movenpick Hotels & Resorts to manage the resort reinforces our strategy of forging strong alliances with world-class partners. As with all joint venture projects between IFA Hotels & Resorts and KHI, we are entrusting the management of this exotic resort to an operator with an excellent track record and with Movenpick Hotels & Resorts we have a perfect hospitality ally." Jean Gabriel Peres, President, Movenpick, said "We are delighted to partner with IFA Hotel & Resorts in another unique project. Both companies share a common goal of providing customers the very best of service, whilst taking hospitality standards to new heights. We are confident that our expertise and commitment to excellence will combine to make Movenpick Resort & Spa-Zanzibar one of the most sought-after exotic destinations on the East Coast of Africa."
Kingdom Hotel Investments CEO, Sarmad Zak, said "We are delighted to partner with Movenpick Hotels & Resorts once again in this joint venture. We have a strong presence in Africa, an area where we see great potential for the resurgent tourist industry. We are keen to continue to participate in the growth of quality tourism in the region, and believe the redevelopment of the Movenpick Resort & Spa-Zanzibar, represents a significant opportunity."
Set within the picturesque environment of Zanzibar, amidst beautifully landscaped gardens and white sandy beaches, construction of the project is expected to reach completion by mid-September 2006. The project consists of 109 keys, made up of double rooms, twin rooms, single rooms and suites in Phase 1, but on completion will have 220 keys. A number of food & beverage outlets are being constructed adjacent to the main leisure area, over-looking the main pool, poolside bar, sun deck and out across the main beach onto the reef and Indian Ocean, providing a perfect backdrop for sunset dining. One of the resort's main attractions is its unsurpassed water sports facilities, providing windsurfing, boating, fishing charters, as well as a fully equipped dive centre with a decompression chamber, one of only three in Africa and the Indian Ocean.
Other facilities include 2 main swimming pools, both with poolside bar, as well as an additional pool set within the grounds for children, a children's play area, leisure areas, gymnasium,world class spa facilities and restaurants overlooking the main beach. The resort will operate with a full time doctor and an on-site medical clinic, making it the only hotel on the island to offer such a wide spectrum of amenities. Al-Bahar concluded "It is also a clear signal to investors that IFA Hotels & Resorts intends to maintain its superior quality in premier integrated resort development by partnering with some of the biggest and most respected names in the business."
© Arab Times 2006
