Committed to supporting the growing tourism sector in Erbil and the development of the Kurdish youth in the hospitality sector, Rotana - one of the leading hotel management companies in the region with hotels across the Middle East, Africa and Turkey - launched today the first hotel under its "Arjaan hotel apartments" brand in Iraq, under the patronage of The Prime Minister of the Kurdistan region, H.E Nechirvan Barzani and in the presence of Lebanon's Tourism Minister Avedis Guidanian.
In this occasion, Mr Nasser Al Nowais, Chairman of Rotana, said: "About six years ago Malia Group, headed by Mr. Jacques Sarraf, granted us their trust in managing the company's first hotel in Erbil, the five star Erbil Rotana. Our cadres exerted sincere efforts to influence and be influenced by the developing tourism in this city. Since its opening, Erbil Rotana has managed to attract more than half a million guests, with an annual average occupancy rate of 70%, which indicates the promising future of the tourism sector in this region."
Al Nowais added: "Once again, our fruitful partnership with Malia Group gathered us again for the opening of this new property under the renowned "Arjaan hotel apartments" brand. The aim is to succeed and support tourism in the Kurdistan by offering the finest tailored services to guarantee our visitors' satisfaction."
Under development since 2014 and in partnership with Malia Group as the major shareholder, Erbil Arjaan by Rotana is the first-of-its-concept in the Kurdistan region, Iraq introducing modern and stylish hotel apartments to the city. Malia Group's other investments in the hospitality sector include the Erbil Rotana Hotel, Magma Square Sulaimani, and Natour Development (Enfeh, Lebanon), among others. These exceptional projects are developed by Kurdistan-based construction and project management company, Malia C.T.I, a subsidiary of Malia Group.
"At Malia Group, we have always believed that investing in the region is a firm decision. This is why we have made it part of our strategy as a Group," said Jacques Jean Sarraf, Chairman of Malia Group. "With the opening of Erbil Arjaan by Rotana, we celebrate the launch of a new hospitality concept to the region and look forward to developing many more projects in the future."
Erbil Arjaan by Rotana is a first-class property offering 168 spacious and stunningly furnished hotel apartments, two outstanding food and beverage venues and 24-hour in-room dining service. This is in addition to seven fully-equipped meeting rooms with the latest audio-visual equipment, 25 fully-furnished serviced offices and a state-of-the-art Bodylines Fitness and Wellness Club.
Ideally located on 100 Street at the Baharka Bridge intersection of the city, Erbil Arjaan by Rotana was developed with both long-term guests and families in mind, featuring spacious accommodation and contemplative design to closely resemble a home environment, closing the gap between hotel room and home.
The city of Erbil was chosen as the destination to launch this pioneering concept based on Rotana's continued success with its properties in Iraq which also include the five-star Erbil Rotana and Karbala Rayhaan by Rotana. Erbil is in the midst of an economic boom with modern construction and infrastructure development taking place alongside improvements to health care, education, and employment.
