Moevenpick has signed a management contract with Compagnie Tunisienne de Développement Touristique for a new upscale resort and conference property at the Tunisian holiday destination of Sousse.

The Mövenpick Resort & Thalasso Sousse is the Swiss Hotel Group's second resort in Tunisia and comprises 627 rooms. This beachside hotel is located in the heart of the city along the lively corniche and is scheduled to open in July 2009.

Sousse is renowned for its astounding Mediterranean coastline with sandy beaches, its picturesque old town and year-round mild climate. This vibrant port city is located some 130 km south of Tunis, and Monastir International Airport is a mere 20 minutes' drive away. Moreover North Africa's largest international airport is due to open in Enfidah, 30 minutes from Sousse, in November 2009.

The new Resort is situated in a prime location directly on a beautiful sandy beach, in the immediate vicinity of the bustling town centre. A modern shopping mall and a casino are a few minutes' walk away and it's only a short drive to the 36-hole golf course.

Omar Jenayah, CEO of Compagnie Tunisienne de Développement Touristique, looks forward to building a successful partnership with Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts: "With the Swiss Hotel Group we have found the right partner for this unique holiday resort. Together we will pursue our objective of becoming the first choice for accommodation in Sousse."

The Mövenpick Resort & Thalasso Sousse comprises 588 spacious rooms and 39 suites with panoramic views over the Mediterranean. Guests will be able to enjoy culinary treats from six restaurants and five bars. One particular highlight is the Thalasso Centre with its indoor seawater swimming pool, a modern health and fitness club and a wide selection of treatments offered in over 40 rooms and generous gardens. Guests can also choose from a vast programme of sports and entertainment that includes tennis courts, animation programmes and a lifestyle venue with nightclub.

The Resort also offers business and MICE customers a modern conference and banquet hall for over 800 participants making it ideally suited for events of all kinds. The three executive boardrooms are fitted with state-of-the-art equipment.
"With Sousse we are proud to consolidate our presence in Tunisia, a country with huge prospects, outstanding hospitality, a rich culture and stunning landscape", explains Josef Kufer, Senior Vice President Africa of Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts. "We are delighted to partner with Compagnie Tunisienne de Développement Touristique, who are renowned and experienced professionals with extensive knowledge of the tourism and hospitality industry."