WORLDHOTELS to make Arabian Travel Market debut

WORLDHOTELS is to use the Arabian Travel Market to launch new growths strategies within the Near and Middle East region.

The company is eyeing the region to increase its geographical spread as well as the number of properties represented under its umbrella. WORLDHOTELS currently represents nine properties in the UAE, Lebanon, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Libya and Tunisia.

“With travel and tourism set to generate US$ 148 billion of economic activity in the Middle East this year alone, we are looking at adding further up-market individual properties in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Muscat, Cairo and Doha to our portfolio,” said Ingo Guerges, WORLDHOTELS Senior Director Business Development & Relations EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa).

“There has been phenomenal growth forecast for these destinations. Dubai for example has seen hotel revenues increase by 41% and tourist numbers up 13% in 2005 and has a goal of introducing another 50,000 hotel rooms by 2010 – nearly 70% more than at present. Abu Dhabi has forecast growth from almost a million visitors in 2004 to more than three million by 2015.”

WORLDHOTELS recently tied up with one of Europe’s largest service and hospitality industry consultancies, IFH, which has offices in Dubai, providing training and mystery shopping services to the regional market.

“With 500 independent hotels across the globe WORLDHOTELS has always aimed for precise standards for its Deluxe, First Class and Comfort Collection. With its customized, outsourced “Performing Excellence Program” conducting annual anonymous hotel visits of all WORLDHOTELS properties since April 2006, IFH is providing exactly what was required,” said Ingo Guerges.

“The need for trained personnel to staff all these major developments is expected to grow exponentially. This will help provide jobs to increasing numbers of qualified nationals looking for hospitality industry openings in these countries,” added Guerges.

WORLDHOTELS is one of 106 first time exhibitors from 50 countries which have signed up for Arabian Travel Market this year. The event runs from May 2 - 5 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

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