Doha Qatar 4th June, 2012 - Fraser Suites Doha celebrated its grand opening tonight at a gala event at the hotel attended by VIP guests, hotel and corporate guests including H.E. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Jassim Bin Mohammad Al Thani, Chairman of Qatar Chamber and the Singaporean Charge d'Affaires in Qatar, H.E. Syed Noureddin Bin Syed Hassim.
Guests were wowed at the opening ceremony to inaugurate Fraser Suites Doha, which featured the distinctive Fraser 'F' logo being brought to brilliant life in a thrilling show of light and sound. Guests were treated to delicious canapés prepared by the Hotel's Executive Chef, Imtiaz Khan as well as live music from Doha Jazz including a jazz quartet and an Arabic trio which kept all present relaxed and in a celebratory mood to mark the hotel's opening.
The opening events made full use of the hotel's luxury facilities, where guests were able to experience the standards of service synonymous with the Fraser brand. Guests enjoyed stunning panoramic views of the bay from the roof-top pool deck, which also featured live cooking stations and a Jazz quartet stationed on a dramatic glass stage over the pool. VVIP dignitaries were also hosted to a private Majlis overlooking the Doha skyline, in a space normally occupied by a state-of-the-art gym. They enjoyed a gourmet three-course dinner to the accompaniment of a classical Arabic trio.
The Al Hitmi Group was represented at the ceremony by Mr Meqbel Ben Ali Khalifa Al-Hitmi, Chairman of Ali Bin Khalifa Al Hitmi & Co. and Mr Ihab Elazahaby, CEO of the Al Hitmi Hospitality Group.
The ceremony marked the formal opening of the 138-residence property that provides gold-standard accommodation and services to business and leisure travellers in the heart of Doha. Fraser Suites Doha has already been recognised for excellence, with the Fraser Hospitality Group receiving the Business Traveller Middle East Award for Best Serviced Apartments in the Middle East for their facilities in Doha, Dubai and Bahrain at the recent Arabian Travel Market event in Dubai.
Fraser Suites Doha is exclusively sponsored and owned by the Al Hitmi Hospitality Group, part of the giant Al Hitmi Group, which has played a prominent role in the development and growth of Qatar over the past 50 years.
Fraser Hospitality Group Pte Ltd was represented by CEO Mr Choe Peng Sum, who travelled from the company's headquarters in Singapore for the event.
H.E. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Jassim Bin Mohammad Al Thani, Chairman of Qatar Chamber spoke at the opening and said that the new hotel was testament to the partnership between the Al Hitmi Group and Fraser Hospitality Pte Ltd. "Our tourism and hospitality sectors are important elements of our changing economy, as Qatar grows and we harness a wide range of industries and business areas, under the 2030 Vision," he said.
"This partnership between a major Qatari company and an international brand based in Singapore illustrates how Qatar is growing with partners in regional and international markets, and our potential for further growth. Here at the grand opening of Fraser Suites Doha, we can see another great reason for the world to come to Qatar to experience our hospitality and to do business. We at Qatar Chamber, look forward to further supporting the Al Hitmi Group and Fraser Hospitality Group in the future."
H.E. Syed Noureddin Bin Syed Hassim, Singaporean Charge d'Affaires, said that Qatar and Singapore would continue to be successful partners into the future. "I have been privileged in my role representing Singapore in this wonderful country, to see for myself how Qatar is growing through its own strength and ingenuity and also through partnerships, like this one, between Fraser Hospitality Group and the Al Hitmi family," he said.
"I believe that today is important for continuing excellent relationships in business and tourism between our two countries and I would like to congratulate everyone involved in making Fraser Suites Doha a reality for their work in creating this wonderful property."
Speaking on behalf of the Al Hitmi Hospitality Group, Chief Executive Mr Ihab Elazahaby, spoke of the successful international partnership between the Group and Fraser Hospitality. "Standing here in this outstanding facility, with such esteemed guests and honoured friends, only serves to endorse the decision we took at the Al Hitmi Group to enter into this partnership with Fraser Hospitality," he said.
"The partnership between Al Hitmi and Fraser Hospitality has created this wonderful hotel and residences. I am proud to see Fraser Suites Doha stand as a demonstration of what partnerships can achieve and we look forward to a prosperous and successful future together."
Having travelled from Singapore to attend the opening of the newest Fraser property, Fraser Hospitality Group Pte Ltd CEO, Mr Choe Peng Sum, said that Doha was a natural fit for the Fraser brand. "We are delighted to be in Qatar and to be able to work with the Al Hitmi Hospitality Group to brand the Fraser brand into this dynamic city. Tonight as we open this property, business executives from the world over will have a choice to stay with us and experience the Fraser difference."
Mr Mustapha Henini, General Manager of Fraser Suites Doha, thanked the guests attending the opening ceremony and said that he was proud of the facilities and services he was able to offer guests. "Fraser Suites Doha is an addition to the fast-changing capital of Qatar. It is a striking new landmark on the splendid Doha Corniche waterfront promenade," he said.
"With panoramic views over the Arabian Sea, all-inclusive business facilities, a restaurant, café, rooftop pool and spa, Fraser Suites Doha is the accommodation of choice for discerning guests whether you are travelling to Qatar for business or pleasure."
The ceremony closed with the exchanging of gifts and a traditional tea pouring ceremony to formalise the partnerships that had created Doha's most outstanding, gold-standard residence.
About Ali Bin Khalifa Al Hitmi & Co. and Al Hitmi Group
The Al Hitmi Group of companies has been a significant presence across a range of major industries in Qatar for 50 years. They have a diverse range of business interests including property construction and development; bulk shipping and marine support services; a comprehensive business and administrative support centre; financial advisory, investment and portfolio management services; and concessions in the plumbing, sanitary ware, air-conditioning and automotive tyres industries.
One of the group's companies, Al Hitmi Property Development, was one of the first architectural firms to specialise in the urban regeneration of the city of Doha. It is now one of the largest property developers in Qatar, specialising in both commercial and residential development, and owning and operating many prestigious properties throughout the country.
Its most recently completed project was that of the Al Hitmi office building on the Corniche. Inspired by the imagery of stone formations cantilevered over a body of water, the 18,000 square metres building is clad in dark tinted glass, polished and textured natural stones and ceramic tiles, creating a metamorphic link to the Arabian Gulf. Not for nothing is the company's name synonymous with the word "innovative."
The Al Hitmi Hospitality arm of the Group is the exclusive sponsor and owner of Fraser Suites Doha.
About Frasers Hospitality Pte Ltd
Frasers Hospitality, the hospitality arm of Frasers Centrepoint Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fraser and Neave, Limited, is a global serviced residence owner and management company with Gold-Standard residences across Europe, North Asia, Southeast Asia, Middle East and Australia.
Conceived with the lifestyle preferences of today's discerning, extended-stay executive travellers in mind, Frasers Hospitality commits to "meeting the unique needs of executive travellers through continuous innovation" and providing its customers with space, family and community away from home.
Frasers Hospitality has three brand offerings - Fraser Suites, Fraser Place and Fraser Residence. A second brand, Modena, which targets the professional who spends the majority of his or her time travelling, was established under the Frasers Hospitality umbrella in July 2009. For more information on Frasers Hospitality, please visit www.frasershospitality.com
About Modena
Modena was developed under the Frasers Hospitality umbrella as its second brand to address the needs of the emerging 'road warrior', the professional who spends the majority of his or her time travelling; whose business and leisure hours have merged, creating the need for a style of serviced residences that specifically focuses on their lifestyle requirements.
About Frasers Centrepoint Limited
Frasers Centrepoint Limited (FCL), the wholly-owned property arm of Singapore-listed consumer group Fraser and Neave, Limited, is one of Singapore's top property companies, with total assets close to S$9.7 billion. To date, the company has a combined global land bank in excess of 30 million sq ft.
From owning just a single shopping mall in 1983, Frasers Centrepoint has since grown to become an integrated real estate company with a portfolio of residential, commercial and serviced residences spanning 20 countries across Asia, Australasia, Europe and the Middle-East. Its serviced residences management company, Frasers Hospitality, has award-winning Gold-Standard serviced residences in 29 gateway cities. Frasers Property, FCL's international property arm, develops world-class projects in UK, Australia, New Zealand, China, Thailand and Vietnam.
FCL's listed entities comprise Frasers Centrepoint Trust (FCT, a retail trust), Frasers Commercial Trust (FCOT, an office/business space trust) and Frasers Property China Limited (FPCL).
As a testament to its excellent service standards, best practices and support of the environment, the company is the proud recipient of numerous awards and accolades both locally and abroad.
Website: www.fraserscentrepoint.com
About Fraser and Neave, Limited
Established in 1883, Fraser and Neave Limited (F&NL) is a leading Asia Pacific Consumer Group with expertise and prominent standing in the Food & Beverage, Property and Publishing & Printing industries.
Leveraging its strengths in marketing and distribution, research and development, brands and financial management, as well as years of acquisition experience, F&NL provides key resources and sets strategic directions for its subsidiary companies across all three industries.
Listed on the Singapore stock exchange, F&NL ranks as one of the most established and successful companies in the region, with an impressive array of renowned brands that enjoy strong market leadership. It has shareholders' funds and total assets employed of S$8 billion and S$14 billion, respectively. F&NL is present in over 20 countries spanning Asia Pacific, Europe and the USA, and employs over 17,000 people worldwide.
For more information on F&NL, please visit www.fraserandneave.comFor media enquiries please contact:
Ms Jastina Balen
Frasers Hospitality Pte Ltd
T: 65 6415 0323
F: 65 6415 0519
E: jastina.balen@frasershospitality.com
© Press Release 2012
