Movenpick Hotels & Resorts to manage the upscale Zanzibar Beach Resort
July 4th , 2006: IFA Hotels & Resorts (IFA HR), with strategic partner Kingdom Hotel Investments (KHI), announces the appointment of international Swiss hotel operator Movenpick Hotels & Resorts (Movenpick), to manage its new upscale resort on the exotic 'Spice Island' of Zanzibar, located off the East Coast of Africa. The resort will open under the name "M?venpick Resort & Spa-Zanzibar".
Talal Jassim Al-Bahar, Chairman and Managing Director, IFA HR stated: "Our brand acquisition and developer partnerships will continue, as it is 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 M?venpick 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 Hotels & 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 M?venpick Resort & Spa-Zanzibar one of the most sought-after exotic destinations on the East coast of Africa."
Sarmad Zok, CEO, Kingdom Hotel Investments 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 M?venpick 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 in the last quarter of 2006. IFA Hotels & Resorts and Kingdom Hotel Investments are jointly developing the Resort, which 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, overlooking 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 two 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.
"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," Al-Bahar concluded.
-Ends-
Editors' Note:
The Zanzibar Beach Resort is a joint venture between IFA Hotels & Resorts and Kingdom Hotel Investments, with IFA holding a 70 per cent stake and KHI holding the remaining 30 per cent.
About Kingdom Hotel Investments:
KHI, headquartered in Dubai, UAE, is a leading hotel and resort acquisition and development company focused on the first class and luxury market segments in international high growth markets such as the Middle East, Asia, Africa, emerging markets and Europe. The Company has ownership interests in 28 properties in 14 countries including 17 operational hotels and resorts (3,853 rooms) and 11 hotels and resorts (3,203 rooms) currently under construction or in the initial stages of development.
IFA Hotels & Resorts - www.ifahotelsresorts.com
IFA Hotels & Resorts (IFA HR) are leaders in the development of premier integrated and mixed-use hotel and tourism resort projects throughout Europe, the Middle East, the Indian Ocean region and Africa
Listed on the Kuwait Stock Exchange, with a market capitalization of US$ 2 billion, IFA HR's main shareholder is Kuwaiti based International Financial Advisors (IFA). IFA HR listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange Feb.27th 2006.
Globally, IFA HR has entered into strategic alliances and Joint- Venture partnerships with leading companies such as Kingdom Hotel Investment Group (Saudi Arabia), Nakheel (UAE), United Investments Portugal, a strategic alliance with RCI (part of the Cendant's Group) and Moreland Developments (Pty) Ltd (South Africa), Boschendal Ltd, ( South Africa).
IFA HR aims to link its resorts to new parts of the globe, such as the US, the UK, Mauritius, Eastern Europe and the Far East. This will offer investors and tourists access to world class facilities through a network of hotels, residential resorts, vacation and residence club destinations.
IFA HR's Worldwide Projects:
DUBAI
IFA HR is the largest investor on The Palm Island, Jumeirah.
Fairmont Palm Hotel & Resort - A 400 room 5 star hotel on the trunk of The Palm, Jumeirah,
Fairmont Palm Residence - 558 luxury Apartments
(www.fairmontpalmresidence.com),
The Palm Residence - Al Nabat and Al Haseer - two shoreline residential buildings with 246 apartments on the trunk.
The Palm Golden Mile development - A Joint Venture with Nakheel, developers of The Palm. A project featuring over 860 luxury apartments, 19,500 sq. meters of office space and 22,000 sq. meters of retail space comprising of boutique shops and restaurants, stretching along a 1.5 kilometre of canal side corniche. (www.thepalmgoldenmile.com)
A Mixed-Use Resort - A 1,000 room destination on the Crescent of The Palm (adjacent to Atlantis) comprising a Hotel, Vacation Club, Residences and Private Residence Club, to be managed by Fairmont Hotels & Resorts,
Laguna Tower - A 40 storey mixed-use tower located in the Jumeirah Lake Towers, next to the Dubai marina, comprising residential apartments and a Hotel - Residence managed by M?venpick Hotels & Resorts, the M?venpick Hotel & Residence Laguna Tower Dubai, in addition to retail and restaurants along the waterfront.
LEBANON
Alabadiyah Hills - A luxurious mountainside retreat in Bhamdoun, overlooking Beirut. This 7.5 hectare project will comprise of high end residential villas, town houses, apartments, in addition to a world renowned spa and beauty clinic, which will be managed by Kempinski Hotels.
(www.abadiyahhills.com)
Four Seasons Hotel -IFA HR has a major share in the upcoming development.
PORTUGAL
IFA HR is the force behind the super-premium Sheraton Algarve Hotel (www.luxurycollection.com) and Pine Cliffs Resort (www.pinecliffs.com), part of Starwood's Luxury Collection.
SOUTH AFRICA
IFA HR listed on the JSE in 2006.
Zimbali Coastal Lakes & Resort - IFA HR owns a 50% share in the luxurious resort, a 680 hectare prime residential and resort estate located on the North Coast of KwaZulu-Natal. (www.zimbali.co.za)
Zimbali Lodge - IFA HR owns the exclusive Zimbali Lodge, managed by Sun International Limited. (www.zimbalilodge.co.za)
Fairmont Zimbali - A new 150 key resort, with 115 Apartments, 17 luxury villas and 10 Fractional ownership units to be managed by Fairmont Hotels & Resorts. (www.fairmontzimbali.com)
Boschendal Limited - A mixed_use resort development at this historic Cape Estate
KENYA:
Lonrho Hotels - IFA HR has a majority stake in 5 Lonrho Hotels in Kenya (www.lonrhohotels.com)
ZANZIBAR:
M?venpick Resort & Spa - Zanzibar- Located on the historic Tanzanian spice island, with joint venture partner Kingdom Hotel Investments, the new resort will be re-opened in the last quarter of 2006 and will be managed by M?venpick Hotels & Resorts. (www.zanzibarbeachresort.com)
UNITED KINGDOM:
YOTEL - IFA HR is the majority investor in the two YOTEL hotels in Heathrow and Gatwick. (www.yotel.com)
Investment And Hospitality Products:
IFA HR programme of brand acquisition and developer partnerships will continue into the future and is evidenced by the ever growing strength of its product range:
IFA - Hotels & Resorts
IFA Properties
IFA - Lifestyle Membership Clubs
IFA - Vacation Ownership
IFA - Fractional Ownership
IFA - Hotel Ownership
IFA Yacht Ownership
IFA - Residences
IFA - Travel & Tourism
This unique product range enables IFA HR to continuously anticipate and deliver to the varying property investment and leisure requirements across the globe.
For further information please contact:
Orient Planet PR & Marketing Communications
Tel : +971 4 3988901
Fax : +971 4 3988941
Email : info@orientplanet.com
Website: www.orientplanet.com
© Press Release 2006
