Dubai - MENA Herald: Louvre Hotels Group, one of the largest hospitality groups in the world, is looking to expand its presence in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) by opening 40 budget and economy hotels over the next five years, a senior Louvre Hotels executive said ahead of his company’s participation in next week’s Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2016.
Driving the group’s expansion in the region will be two of its fastest-growing brands – Première Classe, a modern, limited-service budget hotel offering focused on comfort, connectivity and convenience, and Campanile, a value-driven mid-market brand that caters to new-age travellers – said Rami Moukarzel, Vice President - Development & Acquisitions, MENA, Louvre Hotels Group.
“The new hotels aim to fill the existing gap in the budget and economy segment,” Moukarzel added. “Louvre Hotels already has a formidable footprint in MENA, managing 60 hotels and more than 8,000 guest rooms, and our experience and presence in the region has ensured we understand better the needs and dynamics of diverse regional markets. Expansion opportunities have been identified across the GCC, commencing with Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Oman, and we are also exploring opportunities in emerging markets in North Africa and the Levant.”
He continued, “The potential to develop a footprint of our Première Classe and Campanile brands spreads across primary, secondary and even tertiary cities in markets such as Saudi Arabia, UAE and Qatar. Première Classe and Campanile are both globally established names, and in bringing these well-renowned brands to the region, we aim to redefine conventional notions of what a budget or economy hotel should be, by offering guests quality-focused serviced hotels that combine comfort, convenience and technology amenities in an affordable package.”
Première Classe will open its first hotel in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in 2018, whilst the first of many Campanile hotels in the region will be announced in the coming months and is also slated for a 2018 opening.
Première Classe and Campanile are leading names in the mid-market hospitality scene; between them, the two brands operate more than 650 properties worldwide.
The Première Classe brand strives to create a quality, value-driven experience with limited services, with modern rooms, high-quality bedding, comfortable bright features in the lobby, and a range of facilities to ensure corporate and leisure guests have a well-connected hotel in which to work, browse, relax and sleep.
Sporting a modern, fresh design that appeals to new-age travellers, the Campanile brand aims to capture a wide spectrum of visitors seeking convenience, comfort, value and uniquely fresh takes on F&B and entertainment. The Campanile hotel concept was designed by renowned French interior designer Patrick Jouin, while the menu offerings have been curated by Michelin starred Chef Pierre Gagnaire.
A highlight of the Campanile hotels is a specially designed hub at the heart of each property, created to offer an experience beyond a smooth check-in and check-out process, with vibrant open spaces meant for hotel guests or surrounding residents to meet, socialise, entertain, dine or simply grab a quick snack on the go.
“Creating vibrant social spaces all across the property has become vital for attracting young travellers who are always seeking opportunities for social interaction,” Moukarzel said.
Louvre Hotels is gearing up for a strong presence at ATM 2016, where it will showcase its hotel brands including Première Classe and Campanile at its stand HC0565 located in Sheikh Saeed Hall, Dubai World Trade Centre.