The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C., the leader in luxury hospitality, has unveiled plans to open its first property inRabat, the prestigious capital city of the Kingdom ofMorocco, bringing the number of hotels currently under development in the brand's growingNorth Africaportfolio to three.
Laurent Branover has been appointed General Manager of Palais Namaskar Marrakech. Before joining the Oetker Collection, the French hotelier worked as Hotel Manager for the award winning Raffles Singapore. His career has also included: Hotel Byblos Courchevel, Sofitel Wentworth Sydney, Shangri-La Singapore, Hotel Metropole Monte Carlo.
SINGAPORE December 21, 2012: DOCOMO interTouch, one of the world's largest hotel technology service providers for the global hospitality industry, has entered a partnership with Accor to provide FREEDOM internet high-speed wired and wireless broadband services to the Sofitel Casablanca.
DOCOMO interTouch, one of the world's largest hotel technology service providers for the global hospitality industry, has announced a partnership with Accor to provide FREEDOM internet high-speed wired and wireless broadband services to its new flagship hotel, the Sofitel Agadir Thalassa Sea and Spa.
DOCOMO interTouch, one of the world's largest hotel technology service providers for the global hospitality industry, has just completed installation work to provide high-speed wired and wireless internet services through FREEDOM internet to 26 Accor hotels in Morocco.
Morgans Hotel Group announces the opening of its newest international property, Delano Marrakech. From the shores of South Beach to the African continent, the much-anticipated Delano Marrakech exudes the mystery and exoticism of its surroundings, while offering the style, sophistication and unmatched standards of service that world travelers have come to expect from the Delano brand.
For the first time, Sofitel is to open its doors in Casablanca, Morocco's economic capital, with Sofitel Casablanca Tour Blanche. The glass building designed by Belgian architect Patrick Guénard reflects the breath of modernity that the country's largest city is currently experiencing. Situated at the heart of the business district the 24-story hotel stands out in the skyline. Frenchmen Marc Hertrich and Nicolas Adnet were given the job of decorating its interior. The pair have managed to ingeniously mix clean lines with Moorish trimmings. The innovatively designed 141 bedrooms and 30 suites all have a view of the white city.
Hilton Worldwidehas today signed an agreement with Inveravante Group to introduce two new premium hotels in the historic city of Tangier. The agreement ceremony, held in Rabat, Morocco in the presence of Lahcen Haddad, Minister for Tourism in Morocco, was officially signed by Manuel Jove Capellan, chairman, Inveravante and Deepak Seth, vice president, development, Southern Europe, North & West Africa, Hilton Worldwide.
Morgans Hotel Group Co., the New York-based hospitality management company, today announced a partnership with Moroccan entrepreneurAhmed Bennani and Hivernage Collection which will see the unveiling of two properties in Marrakech,Morocco; a 73-roomDelano slated to open inSeptember 2012, followed by a Mondrian-branded property scheduled to open in late 2013. The collaboration was marked by a meeting with representatives from both parties, who came together to sign 15-year management agreements for both properties.
The Riu Palace Tikida Agadir, an All Inclusive beachfront property of 444 rooms, will be located next to ClubHotel Riu Tikida Dunas, Riu Tikida Beach and Riu Grand Palace Tikida Golf, and will be the fourth resort from the Spanish hotel chain in Agadir.
Emilie Pignol has been appointed Director of Sales & Marketing for Palais Namaskar, which is due to open outside Marrakech on 6 April 2012. Emilie will be in charge of promoting this exquisite modern-day palace in all markets, having been appointed by Frédéric Picard, General Manager.
"Tourism is a major contributor in the Moroccan economy being the second contributor in national GDP and first contributor of foreign currency reserves. This has been mainly driven by an important investment dynamic in the tourism sector, averaging 45% of total investment agreements signed over the past decade" Yassir Zenagui, Minister of Tourism & Handicraft, Morocco.
Over the last couple of years there has been a dramatic change in the way many investors are looking at the African continent as a place to do business. And the foundations of many of the African markets are proving a solid footing for many companies not traditionally involved in this region. Why? The returns are high and look increasingly sustainable for the medium to longer term.
The Minister of Tourism and Handicraft for the Kingdom of Morocco has agreed to join a line up of speakers for the forthcoming Hotel Investment Conference Africa in Morocco. HE Yassir Zenagui, Minister of Tourism and Handicraft, Kingdom of Morocco said "HICA is a ground breaking event for Africa. For Morocco to attract this calibre of conference, will help support and deliver our 2020 vision for tourism in the region. For the rest of Africa it will help build a better appreciation of the potential within the continent."
Loïc Gogue, 46, an International Tourism Expert with extensive experience working for international donors, has joined the North African operation of Horwath Hotels, Tourism and Leisure (HTL), the worlds oldest and largest Hospitality consulting group. Mr. Gogue has worked for over 21 years in the field of tourism and has acted as Independent Expert for various organizations in Algeria, France, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia & the UK. From 2003-2009, he was the Tourism Team Leader & HR Expert in a 75 million Euro program financed by European Union. He is registered as an Individual Consultant to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO Development Assistance Department) and as an Individual Expert to the Europe Aid Cooperation Office in Economic Development [0625 Tourism]. He was also an Expert in Quick Diagnosis for AFIT [French Tourist-trade Engineering Agency] and was deeply involved in numerous professional organizations such as Green Globe, Skal AISC organization, the French Federation of Technicians & Scientists of Tourism and the International Association of Scientific Experts in Tourism. Loïc Gogue holds, in addition to some professional degrees, a MA degree awarded with distinction in Regional Economic Development & International Trade from Paris VIII University, a MBA degree from Paris I Pantheon Sorbonne University & Paris IX Dauphine and a Master degree in Engineering & Management of Tourism Industries from Toulouse Le Mirail University.
The Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA) has joined forces with UK-based Bench Events, to organise and convene the annual Hospitality Investment Conference Africa (HICA) from 2011 onwards. As part of the partnership agreement, the event will be renamed the Hotel Investment Conference Africa.
The Pestana Group, through its brand ‘Hotels & Resorts’ has just signed an agreement for the management of a new luxury Aparthotel in Casablanca, the first of the largest Portuguese tourism and leisure Group, in Morocco.
As part of the focus on ‘Unlocking Investment Opportunities in the Middle East and North Africa’ at AHIC 2010, the Country Panel will look at the direction of tourism and hotel investment in Egypt, the Sultanate of Oman, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Kingdom of Morocco.
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has appointed Patrick-Denis Finet as General Manager of Mandarin Oriental Jnan Rahma, Marrakech which is scheduled to open in the second half of 2010. Patrick-Denis Finet joined Mandarin Oriental in 2004 as the General Manager of the Group’s award-winning resort in Chiang Mai. After successfully launching the property as one of Asia’s most luxurious resorts and spa retreats, Mr Finet was appointed General Manager of Mandarin Oriental Riviera Maya, Mexico which opened to great acclaim in 2008. Mr Finet has over 30 years of senior management experience in the hospitality industry, including General Manager roles with the Khalifa Group and over four years as General Manager of Le Prince Maurice Hotel in Mauritius.
Morocco’s first Six Senses Spa is set to create a new benchmark of luxury and wellness in the region by combining contemporary Moroccan architecture and cutting-edge spa design with unique and enriching wellness experiences designed to balance the senses. Scheduled to open late 2011, the 1,500 square metre or 16,000 square feet spa will be a centrepiece of The Baglioni Marrakech - a boutique 5-star hotel set within a stunning 34-acre parkland resort and residential development located just 5-minutes by car from Marrakech Airport.