Riyadh- Following its selection to manage the largest and most luxurious hotel in the Middle East, in Makkah, Accor, one of the world’s leading hotels and services groups, today confirmed its strategy of becoming the most significant hotel group in Saudi Arabia and in the Middle East as a whole.
ACCOR Group’s current portfolio in the Middle East includes 18 hotels with 3,622 rooms. But the Group aims to increase its regional base to 52 hotels and more than 13,600 rooms by 2009. In Saudi Arabia, where it now manages 6 hotels with 1,400 rooms, ACCOR plans to increase its portfolio to 11 hotels with 3,650 rooms by 2007.
Accor worked with the Munshaat Group, a major Kuwaiti investment company, in securing the US$ 600 million to build the spectacular 1240-suite hotel which is part of the prestigious Al Bayt Towers complex now under construction in the Holy City. On completion in September 2006, it will create more than 1200 jobs, which Accor will seek to fill with as many qualified Saudi nationals as possible.
“Accor is a part of the permanent fabric of Saudi Arabia and the region”, said Dr Belgat. “We already have a strong presence in the Kingdom which will be greatly enhanced when the new hotel is completed. But we intend to build that presence further and to continue bringing foreign investment into the Saudi Arabian hospitality industry. We also plan to invest in training programs for Saudi Nationals”.
To contribute effectively to the success of Saudization requested by the government, ACCOR has completed a study to design and set up three hotel schools, in Jeddah, Riyadh and Alkhobar. “The team that worked on this study has shown considerable enthusiasm and professionalism, in part because of the need to provide economic security and prosperity for the Saudi population”, said Dr Belgat.
In 2004, Accor signed an agreement to operate a new Novotel in Riyadh, and one new Sofitel in Alkhobar.In February this year, Mercure Grand Golden, one of the several hotel brands in the Accor portfolio, opened in Jeddah and another Mercure with 110 rooms is due to open in Makkah later in September 2005. |