Guy Hutchinson, Chief Operating Officer, Rotana Guy Hutchinson, Chief Operating Officer, Rotana

KUWAIT: Rotana, one of the leading hotel management companies in the Middle East, Africa, South Asia and Eastern Europe, has revealed ambitious plans for the Kuwaiti market as it continues on its aggressive expansion drive in the region. In 2018, Rotana will open a new hotel, the company's Chief Operating Officer Guy Hutchinson said at a media roundtable hosted yesterday in Al-Manshar Rotana, launching the 2016 GCC Roadshow, where he also shared insights on expected hospitality trends in 2016 as well as the outlook for the region's hospitality industry in the year ahead. The new hotel that is scheduled to open in two years will be under the "Centro by Rotana" brand, Rotana's lifestyle affordable hotel brand, and will add 200 rooms to its inventory in Kuwait.

The GCC represents the largest outbound and inbound travel market in the region for Rotana, both in terms of volume and value. Currently, 37 percent of Rotana's room nights and 40 percent of Rotana's room revenue are generated from the GCC region, Hutchinson said, adding that the company has been seeing an increase of more than 8 percent year on year.

Commenting on the growth prospects for Rotana and the wider industry in 2016, Hutchinson said at the roundtable, "We are very optimistic about the outlook for Kuwait and GCC tourism sector in 2016, despite the fact that market conditions are expected to remain challenging well into the year due to the fall in oil prices. Increased spending by GCC governments to enhance infrastructure and accelerate the pace of economic diversification is expected to positively impact continued investor appetite for the region and its tourism industry.

On the top hospitality trends expected in the Middle East in 2016, Hutchinson said, "The Millennials, or the new-generation travelers, have been the latest focus for the industry. We're seeing a lot of growth in that area and then they're influencing the older generations as well. Rotana has been pioneering e commerce-focused innovations in the Middle East hospitality industry. Furthermore, we have developed a Rotana Mobile App which has posted a 20 percent increase in monthly mobile bookings in 2015, delivering a significant return on investment in developing the mobility platform."

Rotana currently manages more than 100 hotels in the Middle East, Africa South Asia and Eastern Europe, with an aggressive expansion plan for the future.

Rotana currently manages a portfolio of over 100 properties throughout the Middle East, Africa, South Asia and Eastern Europe with an aggressive expansion plan in place. Rotana has chosen to acknowledge how precious time is by making all time spent in their range of hotels 'Treasured Time'. This means Rotana has pledged to understand and meet the individual needs of all guests. In so doing, Rotana has evolved its product brands to include, Rotana Hotels & Resorts, Centro Hotels by Rotana, Rayhaan Hotels & Resorts by Rotana, Arjaan Hotel Apartments by Rotana and The Residences by Rotana. Treasured Time. The Rotana promise to you.

Further information on any Rotana property, its brands or reservations can be obtained by visiting rotana.com or by contacting one of the regional sales offices.