With the aim of capitalizing on German tourists’ growing interest in the UAE’s diverse tourism offerings, Rotana, one of the leading hotel management companies in the region with hotels across the Middle East, Africa and Turkey, showcased its portfolio of hotels at ITB Berlin, the world’s leading travel trade show held in the German capital from March 7-11, 2018.

At its stand at the tourism fair, Rotana highlighted its strong inventory of operational properties and upcoming hotels. With a robust pipeline of 48 hotels and 12,083 rooms in 15 countries, the company continues to pursue its aggressive expansion plans. In the UAE alone, there are 5,626 keys under various stages of development.

Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas, a luxurious five-star hotel in Abu Dhabi that soft opened in March 2018, took center stage at the exhibition. Situated on Saadiyat Beach, a nine-kilometer stretch of pristine white sand on the sprawling Saadiyat Island, and featuring 354 luxurious rooms and suites in addition to 13 private beach villas, the luxury resort will be the 16th Rotana property to open in the UAE capital.

Rotana has seen a steady growth in the number of European travelers, and German visitors in particular, to its 59 operating hotels and 15,876 keys around the world. With its rising visitor footfalls, Germany has become the fourth largest feeder market for Rotana and its revenue contribution to the company’s business has increased to 6% last year, as compared to 5% in 2016.

Notably, the Western European country is the second and third biggest market for Rotana properties in Abu Dhabi and Dubai respectively, with the German-speaking market contributing 8% of their total revenue.

“Driven by the federal and local governments’ efforts to boost the country’s economy and tourism and hospitality sector, the UAE has been witnessing a spurt in the German business and leisure visitor footfalls. Being the fourth largest feeder market, Germany is a strategically important market for Rotana and our strong participation at ITB Berlin is a testament to the importance we attach to this European country. To build on the success of our hotels as our German guests’ preferred accommodation destination and the tremendous response we have received at ITB Berlin, we have planned several new exciting properties in the UAE and other markets,” said Omer Kaddouri, President & CEO, Rotana.

Rotana has wrapped up a successful 2017 during which the company cemented its leadership position in the region with 3 new hotels, and with 12,083 keys currently under development, the company remains on track to achieve its goal of operating 100 hotels by 2020.

Rotana is gearing up to open 10 new properties in 2018. Properties opening before end of Q1 2018 include Pearl Rotana Capital Centre, Abu Dhabi (315 keys); Hotels set to be launched in Q2 2018 include Centro WestSide, Istanbul, Turkey (152 keys) and WestSide Arjaan, Istanbul, Turkey (153 keys); Centro Salama, Jeddah (189 keys) and Johari Rotana, Dar Es Salaam (256 keys). In Q3 2018, Rotana will open Beach Arjaan by Rotana, Abu Dhabi (326 keys); Centro Olaya, Riyadh (156 keys); Centro Corniche, Al Khobar (253 keys) and Imam Reza Rotana, Mashhad, Iran (272 keys) and in Q4 2018, Al Jaddaf Rotana, Dubai will welcome guests to its 338 rooms.