Shangri-La to manage hotel in Doha

Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, has strengthened its foothold in the Middle East by signing a management agreement with Al Rayan Tourism Development Company W.L.L. to operate a hotel in Doha, Qatar. The five-star, 35-storey Shangri-La Hotel, Doha will open prior to the Asian Games in 2006 with approximately 250 guest rooms and 60 apartments.

Centrally located in the commercial heart of Doha, the new hotel will be adjacent to one of the biggest shopping and entertainment complexes in the world and connected to a large convention exhibition centre. It will feature spacious rooms with wireless LAN and high-speed internet access, and a variety of restaurants, recreation and meeting facilities.

Commenting on the announcement, Giovanni Angelini, Shangri-La's chief  executive officer and managing director, said: 'The Shangri-La Hotel, Doha reconfirms our commitment to expanding in the Middle East. Our target is to build a regional presence of about eight to ten hotels, and  we are delighted to be opening a hotel in Doha in a prime location with such dedicated owners.'

H.E. Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al-Thani, chairman of Faisal Bin Qassim Al-Thani & Sons Holding Company W.L.L., said: 'Having Shangri-La on board is a major win for us. It reflects our focus on becoming a major force in the hospitality industry.

'This is a reflection of the policy of His Highness, the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, and His Highness the Heir Apparent Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, which has been a key factor in the multi-industry boom Qatar is now witnessing.'

Shangri-La's first hotel in the Middle East - the Shangri-La Hotel, Dubai opened in July 2003 and it will be quickly followed by the Traders Hotel, Dubai which is expected to open in October this year. In 2005 the Shangri-La's Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa, Muscat, Oman will open as one of the group's spectacular new line of world-class destination resorts.