Hospitality Management Holdings signs 15 new hotels

Michel Noblet, CEO, HMH, said, 'It has been an extremely successful show for us. We signed 15 hotel management contracts this ATM taking our portfolio of signed contracts to 60. While expanding our presence in KSA and Syria, we added some outstanding new destinations like Egypt and Morocco. ATM is an amazing platform and provides a brilliant opportunity for regional and international exposure.'

HMH offers a complete spectrum of choice in terms of hospitality across its four brands i.e. Coral Hotels & Resorts - a luxury 4 and 5-star brand; Corp Executive Hotels - targeting corporate and business travellers; ECOS Hotels - environmentally responsible budget brand and EWA Hotel Apartments - serviced hotel apartments catering to the needs of families and executives.

Giving details of the signings Michel said,

'We have finalized a management contract with YNNA Holdings for a palatial 5-star property in Morocco called Coral Mogador, Agdal - Marrakech. It is our biggest project so far and will offer 610 luxuriously appointed rooms and suites equipped with the finest facilities and ultimate comforts. Included in the hotel's facilities are six restaurants, a colossal exhibition hall and ballroom with a capacity to accommodate 3000 people and several meeting spaces.'

Another unique addition for Coral is Coral Cosmopolitan Hotel which is the brand's first project in Cairo. Michel said, 'It will give us a strategic edge in Egypt and will prove to be our gateway for expansion within the region. The hotel is under construction and is set to open in the last quarter of 2010.'

HMH also formalized contracts for Coral Martini Aleppo - a 149 room property, spread over 5000 sq metres area - and Coral Plaza Al Ahsa - a beautiful 65 room hotel in KSA. Opening soon will be Coral Cape Town, the brand's first property in South Africa. Owned by Cii Hotel & Resorts Cape Town (Pty) Ltd a subsidiary of Cii Holdings (Pty) Ltd., it is an ultra-luxurious property brilliantly located in the heart of the city 20 minutes drive from Cape Town International Airport.

Making the announcement, Group CEO for Cii Holdings, Mr Hamza Farooqui, said: 'We are proud to say that Coral Cape Town will be open as planned well in advance of 2010 FIFA World Cup.'

EWA Hotel Apartments doubled its portfolio of existing properties by clinching a mega deal with Al Hamra Palace Group for eight new hotels in KSA. Michel said, 'All eight properties are already operational and spread across Riyadh City and Jeddah. Serviced apartments offer the best value for money as these provide 5-star comforts at mid-market prices.'

CORP Executive Hotels too secured a new agreement to manage CORP City Centre Riyadh - an outstanding property in KSA. Due for completion in July 2009, the 86-keys hotel is strategically located in the commercial hub of Riyadh. Mr Nasser Al Subeaei, owner of CORP City Centre Riyadh said, 'Saudi Arabia is being built for business and we are confident that the CORP Executive Hotel will offer unique advantages to corporate travelers visiting the country.'

Michel revealed that HMH was targeting 4000 rooms by the end of 2009 with the completion of its upcoming properties that are in various stages of development. The chain currently has over 2,500 rooms in operation. 'The fact that we are choosing to go ahead with our expansion plans shows we are not just building for today but for tomorrow. We are committed to investing in the growth and infrastructure of world class hotels in the region and other emerging markets worldwide'

The innovative design and excellent branding ensured that the HMH and Coral, Corp, EWA and ECOS stands stood out among the others, attracting a large number of trade visitors.