Radisson SAS expands Middle East & Africa operations

Swiss born Werner Kündig, 54, Senior Vice President and member of the company's Executive Committee, who was formerly based in Kuwait has now set up his office in Dubai. He is joined by 32 year-old Dutch, Michiel Schröeder, Regional Director Operations, Middle East, coming from the Radisson SAS Business Development team at the Corporate Office in Belgium.

"We are planning to launch a Dubai-based reservation centre dedicated to Middle East travelers who seek the true hospitality that we offer at more than 100 hotels", said Kündig. The new centre would complement the Arabic-speaking service of our existing international reservation centre in Ireland, allowing us to provide even greater flexibility to our Middle East-based customers."

"In Egypt, we will be opening three new hotels in Al Quseir, Hurghada and Taba, which will complement our existing landmark Radisson SAS Golden Resort, Sharm El Sheikh," said Kündig.

Radisson SAS Hotels & Resorts is also eyeing a number of properties across the Middle East in line with its strategy to double its regional presence by 2004.

"Demand for the Radisson SAS brand and management services is higher than ever and negotiations with some of the region's leading hotel owners are well under way. We will soon be able to reveal our regional expansion agenda," added Schröeder.

With extensive Middle East experience under his belt Kündig says that the region's growth potential remains significant:

"The Middle East's inbound tourism industry may have suffered from recent international events, but has retained an admirable resilience due to strong intra-regional traffic.

"We are forging ahead with our plans for new properties and the renovation of existing hotels as we remain committed to the region's undisputed lure."