Best Western teams with Zainal Mohebi Group in Dhs. 2 billion Middle East Venture

Best Western International has forged an area development deal with the long-established Zainal Mohebi Group (ZMG), one of UAE’s top 100 companies.

“Key to Best Western International’s (BWI) market development strategy is establishing a strong foothold in the Middle East,” said Glenn de Souza, Best Western Vice President – International Operations Asia. “The region’s economy is booming and it offers great opportunities for the hospitality sector.”

“To realize the region’s potential BWI has entered into an agreement with Zainal Mohebi Group (ZMG) to brand, manage and oversee Middle East development. Targeted countries initially include the UAE, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman and Qatar.”

As part of the BWI-ZMG agreement, Mohebi Investments (MI) has been contracted to operate Best Western’s Middle East Area Development Office, and has already announced the first Middle East property to be branded and managed by the chain, the 220-room Best Western Residences in Dubai.

The US55-million Best Western Residences, scheduled to open in February 2009, will target short and long-term business and leisure guests. The Best Western Residences is situated in Bur Dubai, the emirate’s main business and shopping district and 30 minutes from the airport, and features studios and one to three-bedroom accommodation starting at US$300 per night, conference and meeting facilities for 100 delegates, a rooftop bar and al fresco restaurant.

Mohammed Mohebi, Chairman & CEO of Mohebi Investments said “We are investing and expanding heavily in the tourism industry of the United Arab Emirates and the broader Gulf region. This for us is a strategic move in line with the vision of our country’s leadership.”

“Total investments in tourism projects in the region stand over Dh1 trillion of which the United Arab Emirates alone accounts for well over 80% of that. More than 6.5 million tourists arrived at Dubai in 2006. Given Dubai’s target to serve 15 million visitors by 2010, there is a definite need for more hotels,” Mohammed said.

“There is a particular need for world-class 3 and 4 star hotels in the Gulf region; this is a major segment of the market that has not been properly catered to by international hotel chains. We are delighted to be in partnership with Best Western to cater for this need.”

“We anticipate the development of Best Western hotels in the Gulf region to exceed the Dh. 2 billion mark within 10 years, we are thus looking at sourcing funds through international markets as well as local and foreign funds. Today Dubai serves as the financial gate way for the MENA region which allows us to take advantage of capital markets in a way that would never have been possible before” added Mohammed Mohebi.

The agreement also names Mohebi Aviation to manage BWI’s International Sales Office (GSA) in Dubai. Since 12 December 2007, the company has been responsible for Middle East marketing and sales, promotion and public relations activities focusing in Saudi Arabia, UAE and Kuwait.

Best Western Regional Manager Marketing Services, Chris Chen, said, “Best Western is aiming for both inbound and outbound markets, and over the past eight years, these three countries have generated more than US$3 million into Best Western hotels worldwide, with a compounded annual growth of over 40% in the past five years. Setting a sales office is another strategy to support the development, drive revenue and increase our loyalty guest database. We anticipate the office to generate over US$1 million in next three years.”

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