Rotana Hotels has gained 20th place in the prestigious Forbes Arabia, Top 40 Arab Brands list.

The Forbes list was based on a poll of 1,200 consumers across North Africa and the Middle East, with a focus on local brands that have gained recognition worldwide. "This acknowledgement stands testimony to the dedication, enthusiasm and sheer professionalism that our entire team shows towards their work and the hospitality industry in this region. The Forbes list is the number one list for International companies to appear on. We are extremely proud that our efforts have been recognized and it certainly gives us added momentum for the coming months in terms of our planned expansion and new hotel openings." says Selim El Zyr, President & CEO of Rotana Hotels

The list judges brand performance and future prospects, considering public votes and how well each organization has adopted to the changing market environment. "Expectations change and Rotana Hotels is constantly working to meet – and exceed – those expectations, in the quest for happy and satisfied customers" says El Zyr.

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.

"We are going through 2007 with additional Rotana Hotels across the Middle East bringing our portfolio to 42 properties. This expansion is taking us into new markets such as Jordan, Sudan and Bahrain as well as increasing our portfolio in the UAE" says El Zyr.