Press Releases

Middle East business travellers vote for the Gate

Mövenpick managed Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel wins best new business hotel Middle East at Business Traveller Awards 2011
The five-star Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel managed by Mövenpick Hotels and Resorts, was recognised at the recent Business Traveller Middle East Awards 2011.
The hotel was presented with the award for best new business hotel in Middle East by The awards were presented by Gary Rhodes OBE, celebrity chef, restaurateur and successful author, during a lavish awards dinner at the Jumeirah Zabeel Saray on Palm Jumeirah in Dubai.
“It is a great achievement for us to be recognised by the readers of Business Traveller Middle East. Naturally being in the centre of ‘New’ Dubai, we are primarily a business hotel, which accounts for over 60% of our occupancy. To create a niche in this highly competitive sector we have tried to position ourselves as a ‘friendly’ business hotel, offering a range of smart and efficient meeting and conference facilities, ideally suited for today's mobile business traveller,” said Philippe Bonnot , General Manager , Ibn Battuta Gate hotel.
During a recent visit by representatives from the magazine, the hotel was complimented for its friendly staff and great service as well as its lofty structure which lets in plenty of natural light, creating a refreshing atmosphere.
The news of the award comes at a time when the Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel is participating at the Arabian Travel Market, ironically rolling out its summer packages for regional and international leisure markets.
“Our summer holiday packages are designed to attract travelers from GCC, Europe and Asia. We expect an average occupancy of 70% during the summer months with 40% of that dedicated to GCC travelers with the remaining taken by visitors from China, India and the UK. Pricing during the summer months is always exceptionally competitive and we are mindful of the need for varied, appealing and value for money options for our leisure guests during this period, “Said Andrew Hughes, Director of Sales and Marketing.
-Ends-

Notes to Editor
As the global hospitality industry continues to ponder the pace of business, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts, in partnership with real estate developer, Seven Tides, prepares for the opening of more than 1,200 rooms over four properties in Dubai, UAE.

Within the pack of four is the 396-room Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel, a property of iconic stature both inside and out, which is cleverly inspired by the journeys of the 14th century Arabian explorer, Ibn Battuta himself. The hotel is located in ‘New Dubai’ opened its doors to business travellers, holidaymakers and inquisitive tourists in October 2010.

The 216-room Mövenpick Hotel Deira opened in January with its sights set on offering an efficient welcome to visiting business executives, inquisitive shoppers, small meeting groups and lunch & dinner time diners in Dubai’s traditional locale of Deira on the north-side of the Creek from January.

Also in 2011, the Asian-inspired Royal Amwaj Resort & Spa on Palm Jumeirah will be ready to open. At first glance, the 293-room retreat-like resort seems to be playing a credible tune as it blows its own trumpet by announcing some ‘industry firsts’, including an upscale all-inclusive package available through preferred travel partners.

2011 will also see the pack complete with opening of the contemporary Oceana Hotel & Spa. Seven Tides’ second property located on Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah will open 324 rooms at the Oceana Beach Club, now open with restaurant-bar venue, West 14th, the New-York Grill and Bar. Both the club and the restaurant opened for business during the summer of 2010 and like the hotel are set to deliver great family entertainment.

Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts, an upscale hotel management company with 12,000 employees, is represented through over 90 hotels existing or under construction in 26 countries with a concentration in its core markets of Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia. The international hotel group with roots in Switzerland is expanding and has a stated objective of increasing its hotel portfolio to 100 by end of the year 2010. With two hotel types, business and conference hotels, as well as holiday resorts, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts has clearly positioned itself in the upscale segment. The hotel group stands for uncompromising product and service quality and is owned by Mövenpick Holding (66.7%) and the Kingdom Group (33.3%).

Meanwhile, established in Dubai in 2004, Seven Tides is an international-oriented holding company currently focusing on hospitality and real estate sectors.