Rotana brings home two awards from the World Travel Awards Grand Final 2016 in Maldives

Press release

Published December 13th, 2016 - 06:34 GMT

During the event

Capping off a stellar, accolade-packed year for the group, Rotana, one of the leading hotel management companies in the Middle East, Africa, South Asia and Eastern Europe, bagged two awards at the World Travel Awards Grand Final Gala Ceremony 2016 held yesterday in Maldives.

Rotana was crowned ‘World's Leading Business Hotel Brand 2016’ at the annual awards – now in its 23^rd edition – while its flagship property in the UAE, Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi, was named ‘World's Leading Corporate Resort 2016’.

The most prestigious awards programme for the travel industry, the WTA Grand Final Gala Ceremony 2016 marks the culmination of a year-long global search for the world’s finest travel, tourism and hospitality organisations, covering seven continents.

Rotana had dominated the Middle East Gala Ceremony held in Dubai in October 2016, scooping a total of 15 awards including being named the ‘Middle East’s Leading Hotel Brand’ for a record-extending 10^th straight year.

Omer Kaddouri, President & CEO, said, “There is no industry recognition bigger and more prestigious than the World Travel Awards, and we are very proud to have won two awards at this year’s Grand Final. That we secured these coveted accolades by beating off stiff competition from the best international brands is a clear indication of Rotana’s rising global profile and reputation.”

“2016 has been a year of continued growth and expansion for Rotana and we are happy to be able to end the year on such a euphoric note. I dedicate this award to my colleagues whose hard work and dedication continue to be the keys to our brand’s success,” he added.

Dubbed the “Oscars of the travel industry”, the World Travel Awards was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all key sectors of the travel, tourism and hospitality industry. Today, the World Travel Awards brand is recognised globally as the ultimate hallmark of quality, with winners setting the benchmark to which all others aspire.

Background Information

Rotana Hotel Management Corporation

Rotana was founded in 1992, by a partnership between two visionary thinkers, Nasser Al Nowais and Selim El Zyr, who were joined three years later by Nael Hashweh and Imad Elias.

Operating as Rotana, it opened its first property in Abu Dhabi in 1993 and is today one of the leading hotel management companies within the Middle East and North Africa.

Rotana is a company offering the best of both worlds. A unique understanding of the culture and communities of the Middle East combined with the collective expertise of an executive team contributing over 35 years of international experience in the service industry.

Rotana aggressive expansion plans have seen the company grow from 2 properties in 1993 to a total of 70 by 2014. With several further properties planned for opening and new projects in the pipeline confirming the company's intention to have a Rotana managed property in all the major cities throughout the Middle East and North Africa within the next five years.