PHOTO
New developments signify AccorHotels' continued confidence in the region
Cairo, December 7, 2016
AccorHotels, the world’s leading hotel operator, today announced the signing of four new hotel management agreements with ARCO, one of the foremost developers in high quality mixed-use real estate developments and integrated communities. The new developments in Egypt’s North Coast, slated to open by 2022, include the Fairmont Fuka Bay, Swissôtel Fuka Bay, Novotel Al Alamein City, and ibis Styles Al Alamein City. The addition of these hotel projects increases AccorHotels’ operational and development pipeline to 31 hotels in Egypt.
Francois Baudin, Senior Vice President, Development, Luxury Hotels, Europe, Middle East, and Africa, AccorHotels, said: “Following the recent union of AccorHotels and FRHI, we are excited to announce four new hotel projects in Egypt, ranging from economy and midscale options to luxury and upper upscale brands.” He further added, “This announcement further underscores the Group’s commitment to the destination and its envisioned potential, evident since opening the first Accor hotel over 35 years ago to today with 17 hotels in operation and a robust pipeline of 14 new hotels coming online within the next five years.”
“We look forward to playing an integral role in re-energizing the country’s tourism infrastructure,” said Frank Naboulsi, Regional Vice President and General Manager, Fairmont Nile City. “The destination has demonstrated positive growth over the past few years which has also increased the appeal of international hospitality brands. Our valued partnership with ARCO also highlights our intention to accelerate expansion and to create employment opportunities for the local market.”
Opening in 2019, Fairmont Fuka Bay will feature 250 rooms and 150 Fairmont branded residences set against dramatic and lush landscaping, turquoise blue sea and with perfect year-round weather. As part of a brand that is recognized for being a part of the destination in which it operates, Fairmont Fuka Bay is located within an upscale residential community in one of the most enviable vacation spots in the country. The hotel will also offer a number of speciality restaurants, a private beachfront and a marina.
The 300 room and 200 branded residences of Swissôtel Fuka Bay will also represent one of the city’s first international hospitality brands. Anticipated to open in 2022, Swissôtel guests will enjoy recreational crystal lagoons and a range of specialty restaurants in keeping with the brand’s commitment to vitality and genuine Swiss hospitality. Both hotels in Fuka Bay are an hour’s drive from the Marsa Matruh International Airport, a two hour drive from Borg El Arab International Airport as well as a two hour drive from Cairo via the newly constructed Fuka Road.
Set to debut in 2018, the 250-room Novotel Al Alamein City will feature international standards of quality, service, comfort and simplicity synonymous with the brand. The hotel will overlook the Crystal Lagoons – one of the extraordinary features of the project measuring 7,000 square meters and suited towards a range of recreational activities, including swimming and water sports. The Crystal Lagoons will effectively create a beach paradise while employing energy efficient technologies and sustainable practices.
ibis Styles Al Alamein City will offer 300 rooms and is adjacent to a water park and shopping centre. Reflecting a bright and energetic brand spirit with its creative design and distinct personality, the hotel is equally complemented by its location in the North Coast with pristine coastline and sandy golden beaches, turquoise blue waters, and seasonable temperatures. The city of Al Alamein is also in proximity to popular summer destinations located by the Mediterranean Sea, including an 80 minute drive to Alexandria, suitable for daytime excursions to the historically rich city.
Ashraf Salman, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, ARCO, commented: “We are pleased to be partnering with AccorHotels and its leading brands to create a prime destination for both residents and international visitors. This collaboration will contribute positively to developing a prime tourism destination and will complement a growing portfolio of other AccorHotels currently under development in Egypt.”
AccorHotels currently operates 17 hotels in Egypt with 14 hotels in the pipeline, encompassing a combined total of 10,352 rooms and residences across luxury, upscale, midscale and economy segments. Notable examples include the Sofitel Cairo El Gezirah and Fairmont Nile City, both located in the heart of the city, and Novotel Marsa Alam and ibis Styles Dahab, overlooking the Red Sea. Upcoming projects include the ambitious Sharm El Sheikh multi-hotel development, featuring Raffles, Fairmont and Swissôtel, highlighted by the largest Crystal Lagoon in the world.
-Ends-
ABOUT ARCO:
Arco’s total investment in Egypt is over L.E. 32 billion and it currently owns over five million square metres of undeveloped land bank. ARCO maintains an impressive projects’ schedule of over ten projects currently finish or under construction, strategically located nationwide and in the region including Bellagio, Meadows, Dyar, Royal Meadows, DyarPark, Le Rêve, Lavande, La Fontaine, Lagoon, and CityStars Sahel.
ABOUT ACCORHOTELS MIDDLE EAST
AccorHotels Middle East is one of the fastest growing hospitality groups in the Middle East. Currently, the Group’s regional portfolio includes over 85 operational hotels representing over 26,000 rooms in ten countries. AccorHotels’ portfolio spans a wide range of world-class brands ranging from luxury and upscale Raffles, Fairmont, Sofitel, Pullman, Swissôtel and Majlis Grand Mercure, to midscale Novotel, Mercure, Adagio and economy ibis and ibis styles. With over 25 years of regional experience, AccorHotels Middle East was the first to establish a training academy. Dubbed as Tamheed – AccorHotels Académie Middle East, the training facility is dedicated to educating and preparing associates at all levels and ensuring optimal career development.
ABOUT ACCORHOTELS
AccorHotels is a world-leading travel & lifestyle group and digital innovator offering unique experiences in more than 4,000 hotels, resorts and residences, as well as in over 2,500 of the finest private homes around the globe. Benefiting from dual expertise as an investor and operator through its HotelServices and HotelInvest divisions, AccorHotels operates in 95 countries. Its portfolio comprises internationally acclaimed luxury brands including Raffles, Fairmont, Sofitel Legend, SO Sofitel, Sofitel, onefinestay, MGallery by Sofitel, Pullman, and Swissôtel; as well as the popular midscale and boutique brands of Novotel, Mercure, Mama Shelter and Adagio; the in-demand economy brands including ibis, ibis Styles, ibis budget and the regional brands Grand Mercure, The Sebel and hotelF1.
With an unmatched collection of brands and rich history spanning close to five decades, AccorHotels, along with its global team of more than 240,000 dedicated women and men, has a purposeful and heartfelt mission: to make every guest Feel Welcome. Guests enjoy access to one of the world’s most rewarding hotel loyalty programs - Le Club AccorHotels.
AccorHotels is active in its local communities and committed to sustainable development and solidarity through PLANET 21, a comprehensive program that brings together employees, guests and partners to drive sustainable growth.
Accor SA is publicly listed with shares trading on the Euronext Paris exchange (ISIN code: FR0000120404) and the OTC marketplace (Code: ACRFY) in the United States.
Press contacts
Alka Winter
+971 50 652 8204
alka.winter@accor.com
Delphine Dumonceau
T. +33(0)1 45 38 84 95
delphine.dumonceau@accor.com
© Press Release 2016
