Fairmont holds its first General Managers Conference in Middle East

This is the first time Fairmont has held its General Managers meeting in the Middle East, underscoring the company's investment and expansion in the region.

Over the past 13 years, Fairmont has added 57 properties to its portfolio, including Fairmont Dubai - Fairmont's first international property, Fairmont Bab al Bahr in Abu Dhabi, Fairmont Heliopolis in Cairo, Egypt, and most recently Fairmont The Palm.

During 2013 and 2014, Fairmont is expanding its Middle East presence with properties opening in Ajman, UAE, Fujairah, UAE, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and Amman, Jordan.

"This year we felt it important to move our annual General Managers meeting outside of North America as we have experienced so much growth in key international markets such as the Middle East. The annual meeting is an opportunity for colleagues to come together to discuss industry trends and the brands focus for the year ahead. A large component of this is Fairmont's continued investment in the Middle East as a prime location for business and leisure travelers worldwide," said Jennifer Fox, President, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts.

As part of Fairmont's 'Meetings that Matter' charitable programme, a $10,000 donation was made to Operation Smile during the meeting. Operation Smile provides life-changing surgeries to children with facial deformities, and is the charity of choice for Fairmont Bab al Bahr and Fairmont The Palm, where the meeting was held.

The UAE branch of Operation Smile was established in 2010 and has already helped 16,000 children. Corporate Social Responsibility has become a critical component of many meetings and events, which is why Fairmont has made a commitment that every hotel in the brand offers unique charitable programmes.

Initiatives at Middle East properties include Fairmont Bab al Bahr's work with the World Wildlife Fund and Emirates Wildlife Society to develop an initiative to reduce energy consumption for Earth Hour and a beach clean-up on the shores of the Abu Dhabi Creek for Earth Day; Fairmont Dubai's support of Noor Dubai, preventing and treating the visually impaired; Fairmont Heliopolis & Tower's programme entertaining orphan children with traditional food, drink and activities throughout the Holy month of Ramadan; Makkah Clock Royal Tower's partnership with the Arabian Calligraphy Institute, inviting guests to design and create Islamic symbols with verses from the Holy Quran and with The Charitable Society for Holy Quran Memorization, supporting a Quran reciting competition for children. Each property introduces activities that incorporate the local communities and make donations.

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts continues to expand its luxury brand globally, with a number of exciting hotels and resorts opened in 2012 and in its development pipeline, including:

•Fairmont Jaipur (2012) offers 199 spacious and luxurious guestrooms, nine 1 and 2-bedroom villas, a Presidential villa and Fairmont Gold, the brand's exclusive hotel within a hotel featuring a private lounge. Rooms include over-sized bathrooms with soaker tubs, state-of-the-art Bose sound systems and 42" flat panel televisions.

Guests may choose from a variety of restaurants and bars, including an all-day dining buffet venue featuring international cuisine, a specialty restaurant showcasing regional dishes, lobby lounge, cigar room, as well as rooftop and poolside bars. Also featured is a 10,000 square foot (930 square meter) Willow Stream Spa, a 5,000 square foot (465 square meter) health club and more than 45,000 square feet (4,180 square meters) of meeting space.

•Fairmont Makati, Philippines (2012) is situated in Manila's elegant shopping and financial district, conveniently close to the Philippine Stock Exchange and many offices and headquarters of global companies. The hotel offers 280 rooms and suites, as well as Fairmont Gold, the brand's hotel within a hotel with an enhanced level of service and private lounge.

There will be a wide range of meeting and function space, including an 8,000 square foot (900 square meter) ballroom. The hotel also features a separate, well-equipped Chinese banquet kitchen that can accommodate up to 450 guests, a number of bars and restaurants, including a brasserie that features regional and Mediterranean cuisine, as well as a large, outdoor pool, a spa and fitness facilities.

•Fairmont The Palm, Dubai (2012) is located on the iconic Palm Jumeirah island in Dubai, and comprises of 381 guest rooms and 36,500 square feet (3,000 square meters) of meeting space, outdoor leisure facilities including a beach restaurant and a private beach club, a pool complex and Children's Activity Centre, as well as a variety of dining facilities featuring sweeping views of the Arabian Gulf and Dubai Marina skyline, garden or pool views, Fairmont Gold and a Willow Stream Spa.

Situated on the prime southwest side of the 'trunk' portion of the development, the resort stretches over 1,500 feet (450 meters) of beachfront, providing the perfect seaside oasis while in close proximity to the island's core features.

•Fairmont Baku (2013) features 318 spacious and elegantly appointed guestrooms and suites, plus two Presidential suites, as well as the exclusive Fairmont Gold hotel within a hotel offering. The hotel is located on a prime site next to the Azerbaijan parliament buildings, overlooking the Caspian Sea in the coastal city of Baku, Azerbaijan. A new iconic complex, the Flame Towers, will incorporate the hotel, as well as residential and commercial space and will be linked by centrally located retail and leisure facilities.

Dining options include a traditional steakhouse, an all-day dining restaurant, lobby lounge, jazz bar and 24 hour in-room dining. Retail options include a cigar shop with lounge area as well as a caviar shop. For business travellers, the hotel offers over 25,000 square feet (2,500 square meters) of meeting space and a 24 hour business center complete with secretarial services to ensure a seamless meeting experience. Luxurious spa services along with fitness facilities, tennis courts, indoor and outdoor swimming pools and steam room will also be available.

•Fairmont Ajman (2013) is prominently situated on the Corniche in Ajman, UAE, fronting 250 meters of unspoiled, sandy beaches. The resort will feature 252 guestrooms and suites, including two penthouses. Restaurant options will include an all-day outlet, with a multi-kitchen format and two private dining rooms, which will transform into an à la carte restaurant at night, a lobby lounge and a contemporary eatery offering Turkish cuisine, with an adjoining cocktail bar, as well as a shisha terrace and poolside bar. The hotel will also offer 21, 528 square feet (2,000 square meters) of indoor function space as well as outdoor facilities.

•Fairmont Nanjing (2013) will be situated in Hexi New Town, a burgeoning, new commercial district. Fairmont Nanjing will be part of the JinAo Plaza development, a 56-storey building housing the hotel and office space, along with retail and residential offerings. The hotel will feature 371 spacious guestrooms and suites as well as a 19,375 square foot (1,800 square meter) Willow Stream Spa, pool and fitness facilities. With 26,900 square feet (2,500 square meters) of function and meeting space, the property will be able to accommodate groups both small and large.

•Fairmont Fujairah (2013/14): will be located on the east coast of the United Arab Emirates with sweeping views of the Gulf of Oman, and lauded for its natural beauty set against the backdrop of the historic Hajar Mountains. The project will consist of a 194-room hotel with 13 branded residences, dedicated meeting facilities, a Willow Stream Spa and a marina.

•Fairmont Riyadh, Business Gate (2014) in Saudi Arabia will be part of a new mixed-use development project comprising the hotel, a convention center and commercial real estate space that will house multinational corporations as well as regional companies. The hotel will feature 287 spacious guestrooms, including Fairmont Gold, the brand's exclusive hotel within a hotel offering. Guests will enjoy a selection of dining venues as well as spa and fitness facilities.

•Fairmont Amman (2014) will be situated next to the Fifth Circle in the heart of Amman, less than 30 minutes from the airport, adjacent to the Embassy District, the new Royal Jordanian headquarters, the Abdali Development and its growing commercial enterprises as well as the desirable residential community of Abdoun. The hotel will feature 290 guestrooms and suites including Fairmont Gold, as well as a number of specialty restaurants and bars, a Willow Stream Spa and over 21,500 square feet (2,000 square meters) of function space, including an 8,600 square foot (800 square meter) ballroom.