Accor to manage the new Ibis at Al Barsha

API Hotels & Resorts (API H&R) is a privately held company launched by the promoters of Al Ali Property Investments (API), established for the purposes of investing in and owning hotel and resort properties within the UAE with Jassim Mohammed Abdul Rahim Al Ali as the CEO.

Designed to meet the needs and expectations of a broad spectrum of cost conscious customers who travel regularly for business or leisure, the new, strategically located Ibis Barsha will be on the front line of Sheikh Zayed Road.

The contemporary 6 storey hotel will have 480 rooms, each one being a comfortable and well thought 19 square metres. The rooms will accommodate a large bed, private bathrooms and the best selection of TV channels. The modern 3-star property will also have a high speed Internet WIFI throughout the hotel, restaurants and rooms.

The construction of the Ibis Barsha is scheduled to begin in May 2006 with a planned completion date of November 2007. The hotel is expected to open to the public in January 2008.

Commenting on the economy lodging Ibis brand and its expansion in the Middle East, Christophe Landais, Managing Director for Accor Middle East stated, "The domestic and intra-regional travel markets are untapped at the present time. This will be undoubtedly the strongest growing market over the next five years, and there is the additional benefit of this market sector being less susceptible to world events and economic fluctuations. Through its concept and various products Ibis targets a key market need in the region, which other international groups have ignored until now."

He added, "In the region, the economy sector of the hotel market is largely dominated by individual hotels that may offer variable standards and lack the consistency of service and facilities that travellers expect from a global brand."

The expansion of Ibis continues ACCOR policy of diversification in the region, ensuring that we offer a full range of product right across the spectrum from economy to upscale markets.