swiss international enters into a strategic partnership with al shiha holdings for the middle east

INTERNATIONAL QUALITY – LOCAL AFFINITY

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Press release For Immediate Release

Swiss International enters into a strategic partnership with Al Shiha Holdings for the

Middle East.

Swiss International Middle East aims to grow to 30 hotels in 5 years in the Middle East countries.

Baar (CH)/Ras al Khaimah (UAE)/Dammam (KSA), May 12, 2015 – Swiss International is proud to announce the agreement with Al Shiha Holdings to enter into a Joint Venture and a Development/Representation contract. Both companies will form a new entity, called “Swiss International Middle East.” Swiss International Middle East will operate hotels in the countries of the Middle East. These are all GCC countries, Iraq and Jordan. The Management team of the new Company will be under the leadership of Mr. Naji Al Shiha as the CEO. The team will be complimented by Mohammed Al Shiha as CFO, Mr. Jamal Abd Saih Hamed as Head of Business Development and Mr. Ghazi Ghorayeb as the COO Under the terms of the agreement, the following hotels will be operated by Swiss International Middle East:

• Swiss International Dammam – 121 rooms • Swiss International Al Baha – 62 rooms • Swiss Spirit Hotel & Suites Rimal – 62 rooms • Swiss Spirit Hotel & Suites Turaif – 55 rooms

Contact person: Safa Sameer – Management Assistant Company name: Swiss International Hotels & Resorts Telephone Number: +971-7-2433-242 Email Address: [email protected] Website: www.swissinternationalhotels.com


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In addition, the Group expects further announcements for Riyad, Jeddah, Mekkah and Dammam in the KSA and Dubai in the UAE. Commenting on the cooperation, Mr. Naji Al Shiha stated: “for some time, we were orienting ourselves on a collaboration with a company where we could operate with some fresh brands in our rapid developing society. Swiss International, under the leadership of a seasoned hotelier like, Mr. Henri Kennedie is exactly what we wanted. The strong Swiss values as Innovative, Effective, Ethical and Accurate combined with our strong Arabian flavors will make a difference for the hotels, which we are managing today and in the future.” Mr. Henri Kennedie, Chairman and CEO of Swiss International commented on the arrangement: “to operate hotels in the different regions in the world requires a skill set that respects the culture of the region. No one can operate hotels better that the professionals from the region. Combined with our international standards, we create a management company that will be able to strongly develop in the area in the next couple of years. In Mr. Naji Alshiha and his team, we have found the right partner to develop Swiss International in the Middle East.”

In the picture from left to right: Henri Kennedie (Chairman & CEO), Maji Al Shiha (CEO Middle East), Jamal Al Hamed (CSO Middle East) and Ghazi Ghorayeb (COO Middle East)


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Swiss International plans to become a leading brand in the Middle East. For this reason Swiss International has recently moved its Service center to Ras Al Khaimah, UAE. The availability of the company’s 4 brands; Royal Swiss (Luxury), Swiss International (Upscale) The Residences by Swiss International (Upscale) and Swiss Spirit (Mid-market) and its associated concepts will make it possible to reach the company expansion objective of having 150 hotels by the year 2020 globally

About:

Swiss International Middle East (HDG, the Hospitality Division of Al Shiha.

Hospitality Development Group, the hospitality division of Al Shiha Holdings began as a hotel property management company in 1979 amid growing real estate investment and hotel restructuring projects in the Middle East region. Today the company has turned into a one-stop provider of services covering from asset management to operational support. Today the Company is operating 4 hotels and 4 restaurants in Saudi Arabia. The strategy for growth emphasizes becoming a bridge between investors and Swiss International, providing comprehensive and versatile support. Swiss International Middle East aims to grow to some 30 hotels in the next 5 years in the greater Middle East region.

Swiss International Hotels Founded in 1982, Swiss International Hotels is established in Switzerland. Swiss International Hotels & Resorts is currently associated with hotels in Switzerland, Germany, the Netherlands, Greater China, the Middle East and Africa. The company is registered in Baar, Switzerland and is operating from the UAE (Ras Al Khaimah). Swiss International is operating and licensing its hotels under the luxury brand “Royal Swiss” the upscale Swiss International and The Residences by Swiss International, as well as the company’s midscale brand Swiss Spirit Inns, Hotels & Resorts.

Please also see :( http://www.swissinternationalhotels.com/)