The Millennium Hotels may be a late starter in the Gulf's hospitality sector but in the next five years the brand is likely to catch on as expansion plans bear fruit.
The brand made its Middle East debut with the opening of the 325-room Millennium hotel in Abu Dhabi in early 2002. The next step was to Dubai and then Sharjah. With three hotels in the UAE, the group is eyeing more properties throughout the Middle East.
Moine Kandil, general manager of the Millennium Hotel in Abu Dhabi, took charge in 2003 a year after the hotel launched operations.
This is his second stint here, having worked with the Gulf Hotel in the early 1990s.
A career hotelier, the soft-spoken Kandil has served in Sharm Al Shaikh and Muscat among other places.
Gulf News: This is your second innings in Abu Dhabi. What is your assessment of the hotels industry here?
Moine Kandil: I see a lot of changes in Abu Dhabi now compared to the early 1990s when there were just a handful of hotels. The growth is because of the rapid commercial activity and increase in tourism.
I notice many tourists are coming to Abu Dhabi, especially those who visit Dubai.
The exhibitions industry is also contributing to the growth of the hotel industry. In short, the capital has become an important destination today.
In three years, how has Millennium grown?
As a new brand in this region we had to work hard to establish ourselves. However, business has grown at a healthy pace since last year when occupancy levels went up to 74 per cent from 64 per cent in 2003.
Do you visualise continued growth?
This year we expect to maintain high occupancy levels and project a growth of more than 10 per cent. 2005 began well with very high occupancy levels due to Idex and other exhibitions.
As Etihad airlines spreads its wings, it will bring more visitors here and this will impact hotels positively.
But business for Abu Dhabi hotels is seasonal?
Yes it is, but as I said tourism is picking up and things will change. Our client mix is good corporates, government, embassies, airlines crew, leisure. During peak seasons we make up a lot.
What is Millennium's USP?
It is the product itself. We are located in the heart of the business district and we are a mix of understated Arabic and contemporary styles. We are known for our service worldwide.
Any expansion plans?
The group is looking at more hotels in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. A new hotel will open in Egypt in April 2005. We are in negotiations to open in Doha and Turkey. As we expand in the Arab world, the brand will catch on.
Gulf News
