Swiss-Belhotel International moves into Jordan

Named Winter Valley Dead Sea by Swiss-Belhotel, the hotel will be clearly branded as being associated and managed by Swiss-Belhotel International, a fast growing international management company with over 55 hotels and projects throughout Asia/Pacific, Australia, China and the Middle East. The hotel is scheduled to be opened by late 2010.

The signing was symbolised with the laying of a foundation stone on the hotel site in the presence of Mr. Farouk Al Hadidi, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, representing Her Excellency the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, accompanied by Local Authority dignatories, as well as members of the Board of Directors of the owning company and Swiss-Belhotel International executives. This is the first hotel for Swiss-Belhotel International in Jordan, which continues the expansion of Swiss-Belhotel International in the Middle East and reflects the Group's aggressive expansion plans and commitment to the region.

Mr. Fakhry Hazineh, Chairman of the Board, Winter Valley Tourism Investment Company, said, "The idea of this project was conceived over 3 years ago, as a result of identifying the strong hotel market in the Dead Sea area. The hotel main building will have a total built up area of 16,000 square meters, include 161 rooms with top of the line international entertainment and leisure facilities, and will create almost 200 jobs opportunities."

Mr. Gavin M. Faull, Chairman and President, Swiss-Belhotel International, said:

"Signing in the midst of an economic downturn gives confidence in the future of tourism in Jordon and shows there are companies that share the positive outlook of Swiss-BeIhotel International. We are very happy to be partnered, on a long term basis, with such a respected company as Winter Valley Tourism Co. and share their confidence in the future of tourism in Jordon."

The Winter Valley Dead Sea by Swiss-Belhotel Jordan is a prestigious addition to the Swiss-BeIhotel International Group as it continues to expand into the leisure and wellbeing hotel sector. The hotel will offer complete spa services with exclusive product lines and provide international facilities. In just over 3 years in the Middle East, Swiss-BeIhotel International has signed over 10 hotels and projects and this growth continues even during the present challenging economic global conditions. Rated in the top 100 international hotel management companies globally, with the present expansion plans Swiss-Belhotel International expects to be within the top 50 by 2010.