The opening of City Center Rotana Doha is expected to set new standards in Qatar’s hospitality sector, an industry official has said.
Al Rayyan Tourism Investment Company (Artic) vice-chairman Sheikh Mohamed bin Faisal al-Thani said Qatar is witnessing rapid growth in the hospitality sector. He also expressed Artic’s commitment to playing a key role in supporting this growth.
“Our expansion plans encompass the opening of a range of hotels with known brand names in the world of hospitality… the launch of City Center Rotana is a unique addition to Qatar’s hospitality market,” Sheikh Mohamed said yesterday during the official opening of City Center Rotana Doha in West Bay.
Rotana Hotel Management Corporation (Rotana) chairman Nasser al-Nowais said City Center Rotana is Rotana’s third presence in Qatar. It is also planning to expand its footprint in Africa and Europe.
Al-Nowais said the total number of hotels managed by Rotana has reached 107, with 52 operating hotels and another 55, which are under construction. He noted that Rotana currently employs 14,000 employees. The number is expected to reach 29,000 once work on all under-construction hotels is completed.
“We have successfully opened our first hotel in a non-Arab country in Istanbul, Turkey recently. During the course of the next year, we will launch hotels in Turkey and in Kinshasa, Congo,” he explained.
For expansion plans in 2016, al-Nowais said Rotana is expected to open 15 new hotels in Congo, the UAE, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Jordan.
“We look forward to strengthening this partnership locally, and are constantly striving to develop the tourism sector. This will help increase tourist flows and also effectively contribute towards local economic development, which is in line with our vision to reach 100 hotels by 2020,” al-Nowais said.
Rotana president and CEO Omer Kaddouri said the new upscale hotel offers the best amenities for business and leisure guests in the West Bay area. “Featuring 287 luxurious modern rooms and suites and 94 serviced apartments, the 52-storey tower was specifically-designed for comfort and convenience,” Kaddouri said. 
According to Kaddouri, Rotana has set in place “a very aggressive” expansion plan and growth strategy. With the opening of City Center Rotana, he said the company’s inventory in Doha has increased to more than 1,000 rooms. 
In the second quarter of 2016, Kaddouri said Rotana will open the 229-room Centro Capital Doha. 
“It will be Rotana’s first property under the lifestyle and affordable Centro Hotels by Rotana brand in Qatar. We will also roll out 15 new properties across markets, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Turkey, and Iraq. This is all part of our plan to operate 100 hotels worldwide by 2020, by which time we aim to have another 100 in the pipeline,” Kaddouri said.
Joseph Coubat, general manager of City Center Rotana, said: “Doha is considered to be the most vibrant place in the region, due to its position on the global conferences and exhibitions’ map. 
“Moreover, the city has been attracting major sports leagues and tournaments, especially the 2022 World Cup – the most awaited event. So, our launch today enhances our brand’s existence in this country and also supports the government’s efforts to boost the tourism sector.”