Beiruting News

5 November 2012... The President and CEO of leading Middle East and Africa hospitality company Rotana, Mr. Selim El Zyr, today accepted a Lifetime Achievement Award at the WTM Global Awards and shared that there will be no easing in the hotel group's aggressive growth strategy.



Commenting on his award and Rotana's impressive and rapid growth, El Zyr said; "I am proud to accept this WTM Global Award here in London, which is an honour for me and my colleagues at Rotana. This is testament to all the hard work that has gone into building Rotana up from one hotel 19 years ago, to the internationally recognised and respected brand that it is today. 


We will not be resting on our laurels, however, as there is still much work to do in order to achieve our aim of opening a Rotana managed property in all the major cities throughout the MEA Region and beyond within the next five years.



In 2013, we will more than double our property openings compared to 2012 and Rotana has recently announced a hotel agreement in Turkey and just signed an agreement for a property in Mauritania in West Africa, a first for us in both countries. Nonetheless, I assure you there is much more new destination and property news on the horizon."



As well as announcing the signing of the management contract for Rotana's first ever hotel in Mauritania, to open in late 2014, El Zyr also shared the impending opening date of Rotana's first hotel in Oman.



Situated in Salalah in the Sultanate of Oman, the 5-star Salalah Rotana Resort is set to open in Quarter 2 2013 and is located in a prime coastal spot and offers 399 spacious guest rooms and 45 three and four-bedroom villas. 



The resort boasts a stunning private beach surrounded by lush green tropical gardens, and a lagoon-style swimming pool that is overlooked by the pool bar and restaurant. The resort also has a lobby bar and café, all day dining area, specialty restaurant, a Zen the spa at Rotana and four meeting rooms.


El Zyr, 64, graduated from leading hospitality management school Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL) in 1970. After completion of his further studies in Cornell and Columbia Universities, Selim held his first job as Chief Steward in the Waldorf in New York. El Zyr then spent 12 years with Hilton International in Germany, Spain, Egypt, Canada and the U.A.E. until he earned the title of Regional Director before shifting into industrial catering by establishing a leading Lebanese food chain in 1982. After Lebanon he then moved to the U.A.E. in the capacity of Vice President for Abu Dhabi National Hotels overseeing their operations in the Emirates as well as overseas.



However, El Zyr's biggest achievement was the co-founding in 1992 of Rotana, the first Middle Eastern hotel management company. With his management expertise, Selim El Zyr has ensured that the signature trademark is steadily making Rotana's presence known in every city within the Region.



Ongoing innovations at Rotana were driven by El Zyr, including constant assessment and investment in a wide range of innovative international products and services:
- Introduction of the "All Suites" concept in 1996, which was rebranded in March 2008 to Arjaan Hotel Apartments by Rotana.
- Introduction of Centro Hotels by Rotana concept in January 2006 which is a modern, stylish and affordable business hotel brand designed to cater to this rapidly expanding market.
- Introduction of Rayhaan Hotels & Resorts by Rotana, the alcohol free brand, which was launched in March 2008
- Introduction of partnership with some of the world's most respected franchises like the award winning Blue Elephant, Trader Vic's, and Benihana to further strengthen Rotana's offering.
- Introduction of the Loyalty Programme "Rotana Rewards"
- Introduction of an Executive Club concept "Club Rotana"
- Introduction of Spa concept "Zen the spa at Rotana"

Today Rotana is one of the leading hotel management companies within the Middle East and Africa, and Rotana's aggressive expansion plans have seen the company grow from two properties in 1993 to a total of 70 by 2014.