Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts will open a new property in Basra early this year – Q1 2018.
The news comes as the hotel giant aims to capitalise on the city’s status as Iraq’s economic capital and a regional oil and gas hub.
The global hospitality firm has signed a deal with Akeel Ibraheem Al-Khalidy to manage the five-star Mövenpick Hotel Basra, a 152-key property that is on track to open its doors in the first quarter of 2018.
“Basra is one of the Middle East’s fastest-growing economic centres, a major oil producer and is undergoing rapid infrastructure development, so the time is right for Mövenpick to cement its presence in this flourishing city,” commented Olivier Chavy, president & CEO, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts.
“Our upcoming property will cater to pent-up demand from the corporate sector, which contributes around 90% of hotel demand in Basra due to the high volume of oil and gas and shipping companies based in this booming region of Iraq.”
Akeel Ibraheem Al-Khalidy, chairman of the South Group Corporation and chairman of the Committee on Economic Development and Investment, part of Basra Council, said: “With tens of thousands of foreign workers and businessmen travelling in and out of Basra every day and thousands more based in the city, Mövenpick Hotel Basra will be well placed to provide them with high-quality business, dining and leisure facilities and accommodation that set new hospitality standards in this thriving area of Iraq.”
