New agreements for properties worth in excess of 3 Billion Dirhams, on top of the 10 properties under construction. This is in addition to the 21 properties already in operation, bringing Rotana Hotels' portfolio to 40 properties by 2008.

Rotana Hotels' vision is to be the leading and preferred hospitality management company operating hotels, suites and resorts, within the Middle East. Its growth has been both exceptional and extraordinary in the number of properties operating under the Rotana umbrella. With a strategic aim to have a property located within every key city in the Middle East, this goal is being steadily achieved through careful long-term planning and timely action.

Commenting on today's announcement, Mr. Nasser Al Nowais, Chairman of Rotana Hotels said: "We have ended 2005 with the launch of our new brand of hotels, Centro, which is a well needed product in the Middle East and we are starting 2006 with 9 additional Rotana Hotels across the Middle East bringing our portfolio to 40 properties. This expansion is taking us into new markets such as Jordan and Bahrain as well as increasing our portfolio in the UAE".

The first of the new properties to open will be in August 2006, which was announced recently, is BurJuman Rotana Suites in Dubai.      

BurJuman Rotana suites will comprise fully serviced, trendy one-bedroom suites, duplex townhouses and a penthouse. Guests will have access to 8 fully-equipped meeting rooms suitable for conferences and seminars, underground private parking for 200 cars, 24-hour room service, a state-of-the-art gym and swimming pool and Bur Juman's more than 300 stores.

Also in Dubai, Rotana Hotels will open in mid 2007 Media City Rotana Hotel with 467 rooms and suites, a wide variety of food and beverage venues, ballrooms and flexible meeting rooms, state-of-the art business services and recreation facilities.

In Abu Dhabi, Rotana Hotels have signed a Management agreement with a joint venture with the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority and Al-Mada Tourism Investment Company LLC to build a multi use complex Park Rotana Hotel & Suites, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2007. The complex will include a 250 room hotel, 300 hotel apartments, office space and residential apartments. The hotel will have restaurants, meeting rooms, leisure and fitness facilities.

Mr. Selim El Zyr, President & CEO of Rotana Hotels said: "We are very proud to have been selected by the Authority to build and to manage this superb complex. It will be a true landmark in the area and will be a key component in the exciting development plan that the Government of Abu Dhabi has for this new neighbourhood".

Rotana Hotels will also manage Fujairah Rotana Suites, expected to open in mid 2008 with 252 rooms, a restaurant and meeting rooms. It will also feature a rooftop swimming pool and an extensive gymnasium.

Further a field, the company will operate its first property in Bahrain. Expected to open mid 2008, Bahrain Rotana Hotel will have 300 luxurious rooms and suites, Food & Beverage venues, state of the art meeting space and leisure facilities.

Jordan is Rotana Hotels' next stop with Amman Rotana Hotel. The property will feature 450 rooms and suites, outstanding food & Beverage venues, state of the art meeting rooms as well leisure facilities.

As for "Centro by Rotana", its' first property will be operational at the end of 2007 under the name Centro by Rotana, Satwa, Dubai, with 360 rooms. The second, Centro by Rotana, Al Barsha, Dubai, with 264 rooms will open mid 2008.  Its third property, the Centro by Rotana Abu Dhabi, will open in mid 2008 with 350 rooms.     

Describing the new Centro properties, Mr. Al Nowais stated, "Three Centro properties will be opened before the end of 2008 with a 5 year plan to have 25 properties across the Middle East. And as the name suggests, the location of choice for a Centro property is at the heart of a business or commercial district, primarily in the major cities across the region".

Unique aspects of a typical Centro property include ‘deli' style dining and ‘take-away' service for in-house guests who prefer the privacy of their own living space, the latest in-room technology from wireless connectivity to entertainment and personal amenities. This is combined with the essential comforts of life, gymnasiums and swimming pools together with on site business facilities such as private meeting rooms and business centres.

Every Centro property will have as its focal point a large lobby lounge, abuzz with activity yet designed to provide a number of informal zones for business gatherings and entertainment.  Standard guest rooms at Centro hotels are approximately 22m²   - great care has been taken to optimise room configurations and styles. 

Speaking about Rotana's plans, Mr. Imad Elias, COO for Rotana Hotels said: "To support these major developments, we have just opened further outbound Sales & Marketing offices in India, Cairo, Dubai and Abu Dhabi in addition to the ones in Kuwait, United Kingdom and Germany. Plans are to have offices in Doha, Jeddah, Milan, Moscow and Paris in within the next 24 months".

Concluding a recent press conference Mr. El Zyr said: "Whilst we achieved record results in 2005, with revenues exceeding those of 2004 by 30% and an average occupancy reaching 80%, our focus on development is an ongoing process. This will enable us to maintain our competitive edge in a challenging environment. We are committed to introduce Rotana's spirit and way of life in every major city within the Middle East and are very proud to have been selected to manage these new properties. Negotiations are currently under way for properties in Cairo, Jeddah and in Riyadh".