Safir International Hotel Management (SIHM) unveils a series of projects at Arabian Travel Market

During the conference, the group presented a growth portfolio and announced the launch of four new property management branches. SIHM offices will open in Iraq, Kuwait and Qatar 2009 and in Oman in 2010.

SIHM, a leading Middle East hotel management company, is involved in several prestigious hotel ventures, with over 17 properties and up to 3,000 rooms distributed throughout the region. The Kuwaiti-owned hotel chain promotes itself as offering travellers the opportunity to experience Middle Eastern hospitality combined with convenience and flexibility.

Mr. Fawzi Mussalam, Vice Chairman SIHM, CEO Kuwait Hotel Group Company, revealed his intentions for the region.

"Despite the difficult market conditions, we continue to stand by our expansion plans across the Middle East, consistently looking at new opportunities to reinforce our presence and develop the brand within the region,"

he said.

"In the coming years, we will target markets that show great potential and have implemented aggressive growth plans in Saudi Arabia, Syria and UAE. We are committed to achieving our goal to add ten more hotels to our portfolio by 2012," He added.

With a diverse range of hotel brands, including license agreements, SIHM's portfolio covers five-star, premium, transit and seasonal hotels, as well as resorts and suites. The group's first hotel to open, Safir Hoda El Wali, in Iraq, provides a prime example of modern architecture imbued with religious significance. Conveniently located in the holy city of Karbalaa, the hotel features 340 luxurious guest rooms, ten executive suites and two world-class restaurants. Safir Hotel & Residence Kuwait is appointed with 152 luxurious modern suites and rooms at competitive rates and the organisation's property in Qatar, Safir Doha, offers modern convenience ideal for business travellers and families.

This year has proved to be a significant milestone for SIHM's growth plans in the Middle East, with its first ever hotel launch in Iraq.

The pace is set to continue with the launch of Safir Oman in 2010; the first quarter of which will also see the launch of a brand new concept emerging from the organisation. SIHM will continue to develop new brands under for Saudi Arabia to cater for the change in trends and the growing demands of the Arab traveller.

SIHM properties also aim to boost religious tourism throughout the region, with its hotel properties having prominent and strategic locations close to various historical monuments and holy shrines.