Europe's oldest luxury hotel group presence in Bahrain City Centre will further boost Kingdom's growing business & tourism profile

Manama, Bahrain, April 24, 2008: The opening of Kempinski Hotel, Bahrain City Centre in Manama during the second quarter of 2009 will further boost the profile of the Kingdom as an important tourism and business destination in the Middle East.

When complete, Kempinski Hotel, Bahrain City Centre will add a further 200 rooms, including 40 suites, to the hospitality facilities available in the Kingdom. By introducing contemporary elegance and lifestyle amenities, the hotel is expected to appeal to executive business travelers who are increasingly visiting the country, and to the leisure market visiting the Kingdom to take pleasure in the Bahrain City Centre shopping mall and waterpark. In addition, the hotel aims to appeal to and cater for the most sophisticated and demanding regional patrons.

Kempinski Hotel, Bahrain City Centre will be the second hotel which Kempinski manages on behalf of MAF Hospitality, a company under the Majid Al Futtaim Group, after the renowned Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates in Dubai, UAE.

"Kempinski Hotel, Bahrain City Centre is our second joint operation with MAF Hospitality after the success of our Dubai venture," explained Ulrich Eckhardt, Managing Director and President of Middle East, Africa & Indian Ocean for Kempinski Hotels. "Synonymous with distinctive luxury, Kempinski Hotels continues its growth in the Middle East by once again cementing its relationship with MAF Hospitality. Our partnership has been mutually beneficial and we take forward our commitment to provide our customers with the ultimate luxurious experience with world-class standards."

Shahram Shamsaee, Senior Vice President - MAF Shopping Malls, said that the addition of this luxury hotel will further complete Bahrain City Centre's profile as a well-developed leisure, entertainment, shopping and tourism destination.

"MAF Hospitality is proud to be associated with Kempinski, the only luxury European hotel operator, for the second time and our aim is to constantly offer new opportunities for development into countries across the region. Bahrain's economy is witnessing a boom and in line with our plans to develop and expand in the region, we will be completing this project by mid 2009," added Rudolf Jurcik, Executive Vice President - MAF Hospitality".

Kempinski Hotels' portfolio comprises of luxurious properties in Europe, Middle East, Africa, South America and Asia. With this newest project taking shape, Kempinski will open 7 hotels in addition to the 10 existing properties in the Middle East and Africa, bringing its collection in the region to 17 by end of 2009.

-Ends-

About Kempinski
Europe's oldest luxury hotel group, Kempinski Hotels was founded in Germany in 1897. Kempinski's impressive portfolio of distinctive properties includes historical landmarks, unique hide-away resorts and vibrant city hotels throughout Europe, the Middle East, Africa, South America and Asia. Rich in tradition, each Kempinski hotel celebrates the local culture and customs of its destination whilst maintaining the impeccable personalised service for which Kempinski is renowned. Put simply, they are the first choice for the discerning luxury traveller.

As a valued private-sector member of the Stop TB Partnership, Kempinski is proud to support the Luis Figo Campaign to Stop TB through the distribution of campaign postcards in guest rooms, explaining how tuberculosis, if it is diagnosed and treated with effective medication, is curable. We share the Stop TB Partnership's vision and goal of a TB-free world.

Kempinski is a member of the Global Hotel Alliance. Based on the airline alliance model, Global Hotel Alliance is the world largest alliance of independent hotel brands. It uses a common technology platform to drive incremental revenues and create cost savings for its members, while offering enhanced recognition and service to customers across all brands. GHA currently comprises Anantara, Cham, Dusit, Kempinski, Landis, Leela, Marco Polo, Omni and Pan Pacific, encompassing 160 upscale and luxury hotels with over 46,000 rooms in 41 different countries.

About MAF Hospitality:
MAF Hospitality aims to provide residents and tourists alike with a taste of the Group's exclusive hotel developments located throughout the MENA region. MAF Hospitality's primary focus is to oversee the development of new hotels. In establishing these developments, regional, traditional and cultural values are taken into consideration in order to guarantee guests a memorable stay.

About Bahrain City Centre:
Scheduled to open on September 1, 2008, Bahrain City Centre will offer an impressive list of attractions to the residents of the Kingdom and visitors from neighboring countries. It includes the region's largest indoor and outdoor water park, the second largest cinema complex in the region with 20-screens, the Kingdom's first Carrefour, Magic Planet, over 50 F&B outlets and international and exclusive brands such as SAKS 5th Avenue, H&M, Aizone, Debenhams, Centre Point, Home Centre, Paris Gallery, Zara, Mango, Massimo Dutti, and other leading fashion names will set up shop at this milestone project.

For more information, please contact:
Eisha Anand
Polaris Public Relations
P. O. Box 32838,
Dubai,
UAE
Tel: +9714-3415555;
Fax: +9714-3415588
Email: e.anand@polaris-me.com

© Press Release 2008