In a bid to carve a niche in the UAE, Abu Dhabi-based Cristal Hotels & Resorts aims to triple its portfolio within two years. The group has an aggressive target of 13 hotels in the Middle East by 2016 and 50 properties within five years. These will double its previous goal of 25 hotels.
Next year the brand will debut in Saudi Arabia with two hotels in Riyadh, followed by a third property in Dammam.
Moving ahead, Cristal Hotels & Resorts is now focusing on high-growth markets and products. Peter Blackburn, president and chief executive officer, Cristal Hotels & Resorts, said, “We are in the process of finding new markets and setting new targets. We have some new projects in development in Iraq and Lebanon. Opening next month is Cristal Erbil which is a five-star property.”
The Erbil property features 100-rooms and suites. Recently, the Group also signed the 198-room Cristal Grand Erbil, scheduled for launch in 2016. In addition, a major addition to the portfolio is the 84-room Cristal Grand Kadri at Zahle in Lebanon. The property boasts 84 rooms and suites as well as an range of leisure and business facilities.
In other developments, Cristal Hotels& Resorts has recently signed an agreement with Delta Leisure Resorts (DLR) for West Africa’s first premium theme and wildlife resort. The project includes a theme park, luxury retail village, wild life safari park and two hotels.
Kamal Fakhoury, chief operating officer said: “We will be operating two hotels to cater for differing budgets and tastes –one a five-star, 250-room Cristal Grand Delta and the other a three-star 400-room Sterling Delta hotel. Looking ahead, our strategy is to capitalize on the opportunities available. There is a huge potential of growth for group.”
Source: Travel Daily