This month the hotel rates of major cities and regions of the North African countries show little change. If Morocco and Egypt see their hotel rates increase by 4% and 2% compared to last month, accuses Tunisia for its 6% decrease including - 11% in Hammamet and Nabeul in the region.
Luxury hotel brand Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and Abu Dhabi-based private real estate investment company Eagle Hills, today announced the development of a new luxury hotel in Morocco, Fairmont La Marina Rabat-Salé. The 200-room hotel, set to open in 2019, will be located in La Marina Morocco, a coastal mixed-use development strategically located between Rabat and the ancient city of Salé.
Four Seasons Hotel Casablanca, a new oceanside hotel in Morocco's largest city, is now celebrating its grand opening with special offers for its first guests. The 186-room Hotel cascades down toward the Atlantic, providing a luxurious retreat inspired by ocean waves and kissed by cool breezes. Most guest rooms and suites have balconies to take in the fresh sea air, and the Hotel's signature restaurant and lobby lounge face the ocean.
Four Seasons Hotel Casablanca, a new oceanside hotel in Morocco's largest city, is now celebrating its grand opening with special offers for its first guests. The 186-room Hotel cascades down toward the Atlantic, providing a luxurious retreat inspired by ocean waves and kissed by cool breezes. Most guest rooms and suites have balconies to take in the fresh sea air, and the Hotel's signature restaurant and lobby lounge face the ocean.
Mandarin Oriental is delighted to introduce the Group's legendary hospitality to Morocco with the opening of Mandarin Oriental, Marrakech. The elegant and contemporary resort is set among 20 hectares of landscaped gardens filled with the scent of 100,000 roses, with the snow-capped Atlas Mountains providing a stunning backdrop. Located just 10 minutes' drive from the heart of the city and the historic Medina, the hotel offers 54 private villas inspired by Berber and Moorish influences, all with secluded walled gardens, swimming pools and hot tubs, extensive areas for sunbathing and shaded alfresco dining. A further nine spectacular suites, seven with their own rooftop plunge pool, feature panoramic vistas of the gardens and the surrounding countryside.
Casablanca is located in the western part of Morocco, on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean, and has the largest population of the country with approximately 3.9 million inhabitants. 46.0% of Morocco's labour force is based in the Greater Casablanca area which is the beating heart of the Moroccan economy, with 60.0% of the country's total trade, 48.0% of investments and 30.0% of the Moroccan banking network. Moreover, with its art deco architecture, its numerous historical monuments including the church of the Sacred-Heart and the Hassan II Mosque as well as the second largest shopping centre in Africa (Morocco Mall) qualify Casablanca as a destination with great potential for both leisure and business.
Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts is set to further boost its brand presence in Africa with the announcement of a third property in Morocco. Mövenpick Hotel & Palais Des Congrès, Marrakech will soft open in Q4 2015.Owned by Kuwait's Al Ajial Asset Fund, the 501-room five-star property will complete an extensive renovation and expansion programme, costing approximately US$69 million, before reopening under the Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts brand.The hotel is a 15-minute walk from the historic heart of Marrakech and just 15 minutes' drive from Marrakech Menara Airport. Among the 501 guestrooms and suites will be family, business and executive rooms, as well as additional suites, which will be housed in a newly-built wing.Moroccan architectural details and orange tree gardens complement leisure facilities such as a spa, gym, swimming pool and children's pool. Seven dining and entertainment venues will include a signature Moroccan restaurant and nightclub."Although it is usually associated with leisure tourism, Marrakech continues to be a hub for business and incentive travel. Owing to the world-class facilities within the hotel as well as at the Palais des Congrès, attracting MICE business especially from Europe, the Gulf states and the US will be a key focus," said Alan O'Dea, Senior Vice President Africa, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts.A dedicated entrance connects the hotel to Morocco's largest convention centre, the renowned Palais des Congrès, which will also be operated by Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts. It includes flexible function space of 5,600 square metres, exhibition floor space of 2,700 square metres, two auditoriums and outdoor event areas.O'Dea also remarked on the continuing importance of the leisure travel sector. "Development of the city's tourism proposition is key to the successful realisation of His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco's Vision 2020 plan, which calls for an increase to 20 million tourists per year. Marrakech has long been the 'poster child' for the country, with tourists attracted by its rich history, stunning old town and proximity to Western Europe." "Last year's announcement of a proposed new airport for the city, capacity expansion at Marrakech Menara Airport, and the growing number of international luxury hotel brands entering the market, are indicative of the city's long-term tourism potential," he added.Marrakech was recently voted the world's top travel destination for 2015 by TripAdvisor users. According to statistics of the Regional Tourism Council of Marrakech, 2014 tourism arrivals recorded year-on-year growth of 6%.Mövenpick Hotel & Palais des Congrès, Marrakech will be the company's third property in Morocco, along with the Mövenpick Hotel & Casino Malabata Tangier in addition to Mövenpick Hotel Casablanca, which joined the portfolio last year.
Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) today announced the opening of Hyatt Place Taghazout Bay, the first Hyatt Place hotel to open in Africa. The opening of the 152-room hotel, located 10 miles (17 kilometers) north of the Moroccan coastal town of Agadir, marks a significant milestone for the Hyatt Place brand as it continues to expand outside the United States. Over the past 18 months, the brand has welcomed Hyatt Place Amsterdam Airport and Hyatt Place Pune/Hinjewadi its portfolio, and the London-based Hyatt Place Heathrow/Hayes is set to open later this year.
Renaud ESCUDIER ESSEC IMHI 2007 has been appointed General Manager for Palais AMANI 5* Morocco Before joining Palais Amani , Renaud held the positions of Deputy General Manager at Novotel Warsaw Centrum a 733 rooms 4*hotel, Event and Logistics Manager for catering companies, Business Development Manager Europe for an hospitality service provider, and held positions in different companies like Ritz-Carlton Barcelona, Small Luxury Hotels in Boston.
Mandarin Oriental, Marrakech is scheduled to open this Spring in the historic and atmospheric Moroccan city. Located near Marrakech Royal Golf Club, Mandarin Oriental, Marrakech is set among 20 hectares of landscaped gardens filled with the scent of 100,000 roses, bougainvillea, olive trees and prickly pears, and is a short drive to the city's bustling medina.
As part of the opening to the business world and the Moroccan business, Tourism Minister Lahcen Haddad, moderated on Thursday, April 14, 2016 at the Sun Club in Casablanca, a panel discussion on changes in the global economy and growth prospects. The Tourism Minister of Morocco is a visionary. He is advocating the establishment of a strategic vision targeting a sustained annual growth rate of 6% for the next 20 years. This will result in tripling growth which will eradicate poverty and vulnerability by 2030. “It is clear that tourism is a sector on which we must rely for sustained economic growth, especially in employment,” he said. This meeting was an opportunity to discuss the economic and Gotha Casablanca policy, of which various aspects relate to the economic situation in Morocco and its correlation with the regional and international environment, as well as the opportunities and prospects for economic development for years to come.
Hotel searches to Marrakesh decreased by 46 per cent after the media reported a British tourist was jailed for "homosexual acts" in the city, according to hotel comparison website trivago.co.uk. Travel interest to Morocco as a whole dropped by 31 per cent.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) today announced that it will launch the W brand in Marrakech in 2017 with the opening of W Marrakech. Owned by Morocco-based Menatlas 14 S.A., the 148-room hotel will be located in the city's dynamic Hivernage district.
Excitement continues to build around the opening of Four Seasons Hotel Casablanca with the appointment of Olivier Thomas as the property’s General Manager. A 20-year hospitality industry veteran, Thomas was previously Hotel Manager of Four Seasons Hotel Prague. In August, Thomas will make the transition to Casablanca to lead the pre-opening team as the Hotel prepares to welcome guests to Morocco’s economic hub in the first quarter of 2015. Taking on the role of General Manager at Four Seasons Hotel Casablanca marks the next chapter in an extensive career which has taken Mr. Thomas to many locations outside of his home country of France including London, New York, Milan and Rome.
Anas RAHHOUTI - ESSEC Hospitality MBA 2011 has been appointed Senior Project Manager for Delight Event Management , Marrakech. Anas also runs his own business as General Manager & Owner of "El Ché" café-restaurant.
Morocco has been unveiled as the host for the World Travel Awards Grand Final 2014, 2015 and 2016 today following the signing of a three-year hosting agreement during a ceremony hosted at Arabian Travel Market. The announcement was made at the press conference jointly hosted by World Travel Awards President Graham Cooke, Moroccan Minister of Tourism, His Excellency Dr. Lahcen Haddad, and Mohammed Arkobi, Chairman of Innovate Marketing Solutions.
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has appointed Mark Bradford as general manager of Mandarin Oriental, Marrakech, which will open next year.
Meliá Hotels International signed an agreement to manage three new hotels under the Meliá Hotels & Resorts brand, to be developed in the tourist destination of Saidia Med, including a beach hotel, club hotel and luxury serviced apartments. Meliá Hotels International has joined forces with SDS, a partnership between the major Moroccan group CDG and the Moroccan Tourism Development Fund.
Marrakech is a city that shows significant potential for tourism: the number of airport passengers and hotel overnights grew considerably year-on-year from 2004 to 2008, and rebounded in 2010 after the global slowdown caused falls in visitation. This demand for the city came from all market segments, in particular leisure and MICE visitation.
Stephan Killinger has over 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry and has worked in England, USA, Bahamas, Philippines, Australia, Bali, Switzerland, Egypt and Germany. He has held leadership positions for a number of luxury hotel brands, including Four Seasons, The Peninsula Hotels, and Ritz-Carlton. His career also includes prior positions within Kerzner International including General Manager of One&Only Reethi Rah, Maldives.