Corp Executive Hotels expands presence in KSA

Marking its first big move outside the UAE, Corp Executive Hotels unveiled plans for developing 5 projects in Saudi Arabia.

Addressing a select media gathering at the ATM, Michel Noblet, Managing Director, HMH – Hospitality Management Holdings, said, “At the moment we have got the strongest development happening in Saudi Arabia especially for Corp Executive Hotels.”

Located in Riyadh, Al Khobar, Jeddah, Dammam and El Hasa, most of the projects will be ready by the end of 2009 or early 2010.

Michel said, “We see it as a terrific opportunity. Business tourism is a powerful economic engine for the Middle East and an emerging sector in the region’s hospitality industry. Saudi Arabia has been ranked in worldwide tourism index for the first time and we are confident that the Corp Executive Hotel will offer a new dimension of hospitality to the corporate traveller visiting the country.”

Michel stressed, “Corp Executive Hotels have been conceptualized to cater to the stringent quality and standards expected by international travellers visiting the region for their business needs. Our intention is to offer intelligent value for money with no compromise on comfort and service.”

According to a study by think tank Fast Future and Global Futures and Foresight, $1 trillion is being invested in leisure projects across the Middle East.

The Middle East Leisure Landscape 2020, highlighted the UAE and Saudi Arabia as the main countries driving the surge in investment. The above developments coupled with the expansion plans in Jeddah’s King Abdul Aziz International Airport are part of the government’s $4.8 billion project to increase the airport's annual capacity to 80 million passengers bodes – perfect for niche hotels such as Corp.

Hectic expansion brings its own challenges, but Michel looks completely undaunted. He says, “We are fully geared up for the future and are looking at the bigger picture. As part of the group’s long-term strategy we are exploring multiple business opportunities and have some exciting projects lined up for Corp across the GCC.”