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HMH – Hospitality Management Holdings has confirmed its participation at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) – the MENA region’s largest B2B travel and tourism show which will take place at the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre from 4-7 May.

Making the announcement, Laurent A. Voivenel, CEO, HMH – Hospitality Management Holdings, said, “21 years in the running, ATM 2015 promises to be bigger and better, and we are proud to be part of it. We have got an outstanding stand location with an equally stunning design that is being customized to meet the unique needs of our various brands namely – The Ajman Palace Hotel, Coral Hotels & Resorts, Corp Hotels, EWA Hotel Apartments and ECOS Hotels. We want our stand to be an experiential destination for our visitors where they can get a true feel of our hospitality. Family centric travel has been selected as the official show theme for ATM this year and being a pioneer in alcohol-free segment, it is one of the key segments HMH with all our properties offering a safe and family-friendly environment.”

According to Thomson Reuters’ data, the value of the global family tourism market was $140 billion in 2013. The figure is set to rise to $180 billion by 2018 with growth expected to continue at a rate of 4.79 per cent annually until 2020. Demand for inter-regional family travel will also remain robust with GCC population soaring to 53.5 million by 2020. Laurent stated, “We are eager to grow our footprint in this significant sector and are keen to have a bigger share of market as well as raise awareness among hotel developers / owners about the opportunity and our strengths in the segment.”

In addition to showcasing its existing portfolio of hotels spread across 13 cities in MENA region, HMH will be promoting it upcoming hotels. Laurent stated, “2015 is a very significant year for us as we have got 4 key openings coming up in quick succession. ATM is the perfect platform to introduce these to the global travel trade. In addition, we have got a number of other surprises lined up that will be unveiled during the show.”

About HMH

Founded in 2003 in Dubai, HMH – Hospitality Management Holdings is a fully-integrated hotel management company that prides itself on being the first hotel chain in the Middle East to offer alcohol-free safe environment. It provides hotel owners and developers a broad spectrum of comprehensive management solutions with five distinct, yet complementary, hotel brands catering to varied market segments from budget to luxury. These include The Ajman Palace Hotel, Coral Hotels & Resorts, Corp Hotels, EWA Hotel Apartments and ECOS Hotels. Through its dynamic operation and strategic expansion in the Middle East and North Africa, HMH has been successful in unlocking a world of opportunities while creating value for its stakeholders, associates, staff members and customers. Its existing portfolio features superb properties located in some of the most desirable destinations across the MENA region, as well as a healthy pipeline of hotels under development.

For more information about HMH please visit http://www.hmhhotelgroup.com

The Ajman Palace Hotel is all set to host the biggest hotel wedding exhibition in the Northern Emirates under the Kind Patronage of H.E. Sheikh Mohammed bin Faisal Al Qassimi. The two-day ‘Wedding Fair’ will take place at the hotel’s magnificent ‘Al Saalah’ Ballroom on 12th and 13th February, 2015. The event will bring together over 50 leading brands and designers specialized in catering to high-end weddings.

Ferghal Purcell, General Manager of The Ajman Palace Hotel, said: “The Ajman Palace Hotel is a prestigious address for weddings where luxury meets elegance. We have got the largest and most stunning ballroom and wedding facilities in the Northern Emirates. ‘The Wedding Fair’ is Ajman’s first wedding expo and will serve as a showcase for visitors to see the finest mix of wedding must-haves. Be it the latest bridal trends or the top most brands in silver tableware, porcelain, linen, décor, entertainment, event planners, luxury car-rental, photography, etc. It will be an unmissable bridal party where unique wedding themes will be brought to life giving you the much-needed inspiration for the big day. During the event, top experts will also share invaluable advice on creating a fairy-tale wedding.”

The highlight of ‘The Wedding Fair’ will be a spectacular bridal show on the opening nightfeaturing the latest collections from some of the most popular local designers and boutiques.

Among the top exhibitors will Luxury Majlis with brands such as Wiener Silber Manufactur from Vienna displaying unique silverwork masterpieces, and Ege Exquisit from Germany showcasing the world’s finest table and bed linens.

Wedding celebrations require perfection. With a series of versatile spaces including the ‘Al Saalah’ Ballroom, The Ajman Palace Hotel is an alluring 5-star that promises to deliver a magical wedding experience. Ferghal stressed, “Luxury, exclusivity, comfort and privacy are assured as all bridal facilities have been designed to match the traditional Arabic culture and expectations. Private access for ladies and a separate lift for the bride that would take her to the reception straight from her exclusive make-up room are just some of the thoughtful touches.

On site is a beautiful Bridal Suite that consists of a private room with plush white furniture, dressing area, separate make-up room, and a spacious living room furnished with large mirrors and elegant sofas. The suite boasts indulgent amenities for the bride and her family to feel relaxed and comfortable.

Registrations for participants in ‘The Ajman Palace Hotel Wedding Fair are now open. If you are a wedding vendor or organizer simply call 0097 150 6975146 or email h.bakht@mpj-pr.com

About The Ajman Palace Hotel

The Ajman Palace Hotel, managed by HMH – Hospitality Management Holdings, is a picturesque sanctuary of privileged perfection conveniently located 22 km from Dubai International Airport and 11 km from Sharjah International Airport.  Set on a private beach, this alluring hideaway is a heritage resort with a modern spirit. Bringing an unprecedented level of luxury, with captivating views of the Arabian Gulf, the resort is a destination unto itself. Balancing world-class facilities with the legendary Arabian hospitality, it offers 254 rooms, suites and serviced residences, a remarkable range of restaurants and lounges, fabulous meeting and event venues including the largest ballroom in the Northern Emirates ideal for weddings and conventions, as well as an array of leisure and recreation options at Encore Lifestyle Club featuring Encore Spa and state-of-the-art fitness facility. A magical experience awaits you here.

For more information about the hotel please visit http://www.TheAjmanPalace.com

Luxury versus budget is a long-running debate among hotel investors. What provides higher and quicker return on investment – a 5-star or a mid-market hotel? Looking at the market conditions and demand in Dubai, the answer seems clear. Laurent A. Voivenel, CEO, HMH – Hospitality Management Holdings, said, “Budget hotels are the most profitable long-term investment. And now is the time to build these in Dubai. The market is ripe and is in urgent need of more budget rooms if it is to diversify its segments, attract the growing middle class travellers from emerging economies of Asia and Africa as well as cater to Dubai Expo 2020 visitors. It is an unprecedented opportunity that investors can capitalize on”.

There is a near saturation in the market when it comes to luxury hotels.  The market does not need any more luxury hotels at this point. Over supply of rooms in this segment is putting a tremendous pressure on rates that in turn is affecting ROI. However, the same is not the case with mid-market hotels. Given the demand, investors can expect double digit ROI (10 to 12 per cent every year) with the right product and the right location.

Few regional hotel management companies can claim to have the local know-how, technological expertise and global network at par with HMH – Hospitality Management Holdings. Laurent stressed, “We offer far better value and returns to hotel owners and investors with the right blend of expertise, strategy, technology and market reach. Having the strongest management infrastructure in place, we are able to respond swiftly to any market dynamics and challenges.”

Laurent added, “Technology plays a key role today in the success of any business and more so in our industry. One of our greatest strengths at HMH is the adoption and integration of latest technology into every aspect of our business from management to operation. We have invested heavily into technology that places us at par with top international brands and enables us to optimize our performance to deliver superior results”.

For more information about HMH please visit http://www.hmhhotelgroup.com

About HMH

Founded in 2003 in Dubai, HMH – Hospitality Management Holdings is a fully-integrated hotel management company that prides itself on being the first hotel chain in the Middle East to offer alcohol-free safe environment. It provides hotel owners and developers a broad spectrum of comprehensive management solutions with five distinct, yet complementary, hotel brands catering to varied market segments from budget to luxury. These include The Ajman Palace Hotel, Coral Hotels & Resorts, Corp Hotels, EWA Hotel Apartments and ECOS Hotels. Through its dynamic operation and strategic expansion in the Middle East and North Africa, HMH has been successful in unlocking a world of opportunities while creating value for its stakeholders, associates, staff members and customers. Its existing portfolio features superb properties located in some of the most desirable destinations across the MENA region, as well as a healthy pipeline of hotels under development.

For more information about HMH please visit http://www.hmhhotelgroup.com

It is ‘Art with a Punch’. FISTICUFFS – a fascinating group exhibition curated by H.H. Sheikha Wafa Hasher Al Maktoum opened last evening at FN Designs. The month-long show, supported by HMH – Hospitality Management Holdings brings together works of 32 local artists who have chosen punching bags as their canvas producing absolutely knockout works. The exhibition, with its bold mix of styles ranging from street art to typography, calligraphy, abstract art, sketches, drawings, illustrations, murals and more echoes both fantasy and realism with a graphic intensity.

Commenting on the exhibition, H.H. Sheikha Wafa Hasher Al Maktoum, said, “Merging art and sports has been a growing tradition at FN Designs. Each participating artist was given a blank canvas to paint not knowing what the final outcome would be. And the result was FISTICUFFS – an attempt to bring alive their imagination in a boxing arena. The artists typically take their cues from emotions, spaces and subjects surrounding them converting them into striking revelations. Yet, like every abstract art, these do not spell out everything. The viewers are left free to rough it out in the ring”.

Laurent A. Voivenel, CEO, HMH – Hospitality Management Holdings, said, “We are delighted to support this unique exhibition by FN Designs that explores and unlocks a new dimension in art. FISTICUFFS hits its audiences with a powerful punch. It leads us on a mysterious maze filled with action and excitement to discover the unknown. So put on your boxing gloves before you go there!”

FISTICUFFS will be showing at FN Designs for a month and will be open to public daily from 10am to 8pm. FN Designs is located at 26 Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz 1, Street 8 in Dubai.

For more information about FN Designs please visit http://www.fanndesigns.com

With excellent reviews from travellers, Coral Beach Resort Sharjah enjoys outstanding rating on tripadvisor.com. The deluxe 4-star resort is ranked among top five hotels on the hugely popular site out of 74 properties in Sharjah. Of the 129 reviews about the resort, 53 rate it as excellent, 47 as very good and only 21 as average.

Jean-Pierre Simon, Regional General Manager, Northern Emirates, Coral Hotels & Resorts, said, “We have been successful in winning our guests’ admiration with our award-winning service and fabulous facilities. TripAdvisor is a very useful and reliable travel site trusted by millions of people worldwide. It is wonderful to have this sort of positive feedback on such a popular platform. We are truly grateful to all our guests for taking the time to review our hotel and are proud to have scored so high. It would not have been possible without the immense dedication and hard-work put in by our team who are the real architects of our success.”

The Coral Beach Resort Sharjah recently underwent a complete refurbishment of rooms and facilities that has given it a brand new appeal. The deluxe resort features 156 spacious rooms, many with panoramic sea-view. A major attraction is the wide repertoire of dining options with menus to cater to every taste. The resort is located on one of the emirate’s principal sand beaches and features a range of leisure activities for all ages, including the Rimal Club, state-of-the-art fitness centre, children’s pool, indoor playroom and complimentary Kid’s Club as well as tennis (By Clark Francis Tennis Academy), badminton, volleyball and two outdoor swimming pools.

For more information about the hotel, visit www.hmhhotelgroup.com/coralbeachresortsharjah

HMH – Hospitality Management Holdings, under the leadership of its CEO Laurent A. Voivenel, has placed adoption and integration of digital technology as one of the company’s greatest priorities. And today, HMH leads the pack among regional companies with the highest Digital IQ.

Laurent stressed, “Technology is going to be instrumental to our expansion and growth. It has never been more important than today to understand and weave digital technology into every aspect of our business. Therefore, we decided to develop our digital capability by strategically investing 90 per cent of our CAPEX in 2014 in an all-round IT upgrade that has given us an enormous edge over our competitors while creating  value for our owners, associates and guests”.

According to Laurent leveraging technology isn’t just about ‘nice-to-haves’ but rather has to  be very carefully planned to make sure it serves the right needs of the organisation. He commented, “Very often hotel chains invest millions in slick solutions that are like digital islands and cannot be connected to existing systems or extremely complicated to operate and are hence of limited value. We have been very careful in this aspect and have taken a progressive approach where we look beyond our four walls to see what can be of strategic importance in the next two to five years but also look inward to make sure we reach that level without disrupting our day-to-day business. At the end of the day, the ultimate objective is to make HMH a top performer in revenue growth and profitability by optimizing technology”.

Delivering on digital technology is an organisational priority at HMH and one that is being championed by the Chief Executive Office Laurent himself. He said, “I spend 30 per cent of my time every week on challenges and opportunities related to technology – that’s how critical it is for us. We are not only looking at customer-facing solutions rather at enhancing overall efficiency in terms of operations, products, services and so on. We believe in empowering our employees with technology and are investing in appointing and equipping people with relevant digital resources and skills that will take HMH to the next level”.

About HMH

Founded in 2003 in Dubai, HMH – Hospitality Management Holdings is a fully-integrated hotel management company that prides itself on being the first hotel chain in the Middle East to offer alcohol-free safe environment. It provides hotel owners and developers a broad spectrum of comprehensive management solutions with five distinct, yet complementary, hotel brands catering to varied market segments from budget to luxury. These include The Ajman Palace Hotel, Coral Hotels & Resorts, Corp Hotels, EWA Hotel Apartments and ECOS Hotels. Through its dynamic operation and strategic expansion in the Middle East and North Africa, HMH has been successful in unlocking a world of opportunities while creating value for its stakeholders, associates, staff members and customers. Its existing portfolio features superb properties located in some of the most desirable destinations across the MENA region, as well as a healthy pipeline of hotels under development.

For more information about HMH please visit http://www.hmhhotelgroup.com

With a 87% year-to-date average guest satisfaction score and 17% response rate, The Ajman Palace Hotel, managed by HMH – Hospitality Management Holdings, tops the guest feedback charts of Market Metrix Hospitality Index. The UAE average for the organization is 85.8% with a 19% response rate.

Ferghal Purcell, General Manager, The Ajman Palace Hotel, said, “We are truly proud of this remarkable achievement. Our objective is to offer consistently high levels of service to our guests. The Market Metrix Hospitality Index is the most in-depth and reliable source of hospitality performance information available today. It allows us to know and improve the guest experience by addressing their problems that in turn helps boost guest retention and loyalty”.

Guest experience lies at the heart of The Ajman Palace Hotel service and the hotel believes successful staff-customer interaction holds the key to a satisfying experience. Ferghal stressed, “It is really the people who turn a stay into a memorable experience. And creating that link with the customer is what our service is all about. We want to make sure that our staff are delivering the desired service throughout the guest’s stay. Therefore, in order to make a difference, the guests receive the questionnaire while they are still in-house and not after they have departed. This allows us to rectify a problem on the spot”.

Ferghal added, “In today’s competitive marketplace, word-of-mouth recommendations are the strongest marketing tool and therefore the quality of service can make or break our reputation. The experience one delivers is an effective way to attract and retain customers”.

About The Ajman Palace Hotel

The Ajman Palace Hotel, managed by HMH – Hospitality Management Holdings, is a picturesque sanctuary of privileged perfection conveniently located 22 km from Dubai International Airport and 11 km from Sharjah International Airport.  Set on a private beach, this alluring hideaway is a heritage resort with a modern spirit. Bringing an unprecedented level of luxury, with captivating views of the Arabian Gulf, the resort is a destination unto itself. Balancing world-class facilities with the legendary Arabian hospitality, it offers 254 rooms, suites and serviced residences, a remarkable range of restaurants and lounges, fabulous meeting and event venues including the largest ballroom in the Northern Emirates ideal for weddings and conventions, as well as an array of leisure and recreation options at Encore Lifestyle Club featuring Encore Spa and state-of-the-art fitness facility. A magical experience awaits you here.

For more information about the hotel please visit http://www.TheAjmanPalace.com

HMH – Hospitality Management Holdings, under the leadership of its CEO Laurent A. Voivenel, has placed adoption and integration of digital technology as one of the company’s greatest priorities. And today, HMH leads the pack among regional companies with the highest Digital IQ.

Laurent stressed, “Technology is going to be instrumental to our expansion and growth. It has never been more important than today to understand and weave digital technology into every aspect of our business. Therefore, we decided to develop our digital capability by strategically investing 90 per cent of our CAPEX in 2014 in an all-round IT upgrade that has given us an enormous edge over our competitors while creating  value for our owners, associates and guests”.

According to Laurent leveraging technology isn’t just about ‘nice-to-haves’ but rather has to  be very carefully planned to make sure it serves the right needs of the organisation. He commented, “Very often hotel chains invest millions in slick solutions that are like digital islands and cannot be connected to existing systems or extremely complicated to operate and are hence of limited value. We have been very careful in this aspect and have taken a progressive approach where we look beyond our four walls to see what can be of strategic importance in the next two to five years but also look inward to make sure we reach that level without disrupting our day-to-day business. At the end of the day, the ultimate objective is to make HMH a top performer in revenue growth and profitability by optimizing technology”.

Delivering on digital technology is an organisational priority at HMH and one that is being championed by the Chief Executive Office Laurent himself. He said, “I spend 30 per cent of my time every week on challenges and opportunities related to technology – that’s how critical it is for us. We are not only looking at customer-facing solutions rather at enhancing overall efficiency in terms of operations, products, services and so on. We believe in empowering our employees with technology and are investing in appointing and equipping people with relevant digital resources and skills that will take HMH to the next level”.

About HMH

Founded in 2003 in Dubai, HMH – Hospitality Management Holdings is a fully-integrated hotel management company that prides itself on being the first hotel chain in the Middle East to offer alcohol-free safe environment. It provides hotel owners and developers a broad spectrum of comprehensive management solutions with five distinct, yet complementary, hotel brands catering to varied market segments from budget to luxury. These include The Ajman Palace Hotel, Coral Hotels & Resorts, Corp Hotels, EWA Hotel Apartments and ECOS Hotels. Through its dynamic operation and strategic expansion in the Middle East and North Africa, HMH has been successful in unlocking a world of opportunities while creating value for its stakeholders, associates, staff members and customers. Its existing portfolio features superb properties located in some of the most desirable destinations across the MENA region, as well as a healthy pipeline of hotels under development.

For more information about HMH please visit https://www.hmhhotelgroup.com

The Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF 2015) has just begun and HMH – Hospitality Management Holdings has launched an exclusive ‘DSF 2015’ offer available only on the group’s website. Travellers who book their stay on www.hmhhotelgroup.com will be entitled to up to 20 per cent discount on the best available room rates at the group’s hotels in the UAE all through the festival.

Launching the promotion, HMH CEO Laurent A. Voivenel, said, “This year marks the 20th anniversary of The Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF 2015), the emirate’s largest shopping and entertainment extravaganza that is expected to attract tourists in large numbers from January 1 to February 2, 2015. To celebrate this momentous occasion we are glad to offer up to 20 per cent discount to guests who book their stay through HMH website at our UAE hotels”.

Laurent added, “We have got stunning beach properties such as The Ajman Palace Hotel and Coral Beach Resort Sharjah that are ideal for families and perfectly located to offer both – an idyllic beach getaway with plenty of activities for children as well as a daily dose of city fun and shopping for grown-ups. Both hotels are located merely 30 minutes-drive to Dubai and we have got free daily shuttle bus service for our guests from the hotels to the city making it extremely convenient to commute and be part of the festivities. For those who wish to be closer to all action can opt for Coral Dubai Deira Hotel that is superbly located on Al Muraqqabat Street, the hub of DSF activities, in close proximity to Dubai Gold Souk and various other malls in the area”.

In addition to fabulous discounts on accommodation, the HMH DSF promotion includes an array of exceptional discounts on dining, spa and recreation as well as benefits such as early check-in and late check-out (subject to availability), free shuttle bus service and complimentary WiFi Internet.

About HMH

Founded in 2003 in Dubai, HMH – Hospitality Management Holdings is a fully-integrated hotel management company that prides itself on being the first hotel chain in the Middle East to offer alcohol-free safe environment. It provides hotel owners and developers a broad spectrum of comprehensive management solutions with five distinct, yet complementary, hotel brands catering to varied market segments from budget to luxury. These include The Ajman Palace Hotel, Coral Hotels & Resorts, Corp Hotels, EWA Hotel Apartments and ECOS Hotels. Through its dynamic operation and strategic expansion in the Middle East and North Africa, HMH has been successful in unlocking a world of opportunities while creating value for its stakeholders, associates, staff members and customers. Its existing portfolio features superb properties located in some of the most desirable destinations across the MENA region, as well as a healthy pipeline of hotels under development.

For more information about HMH please visit https://www.hmhhotelgroup.com

HMH – Hospitality Management Holdings was among one of the key sponsors of the prestigious Saudi Aramco Invitational Golf Tournament (SAIT). Hosted by Rolling Hills Golf Course in Dhahran, KSA, recently the tournament featured the region’s finest golfers. It turned out to be a keenly contested competition with Othman Al-Mulla winning the top prize.

HMH CEO Laurent A. Voivenel, said, “There is a great appetite for Golf in KSA that has helped it to grow in the Kingdom. This year marked the 49th Anniversary of SAIT and we were glad to support Saudi Aramco Golf Association who was the main sponsor of the championship. It gave us an excellent platform to promote our brands and network among this exclusive gathering”.

As part of the sponsorship agreement, HMH had the opportunity to enter a player in the two-day tournament with full playing eligibility that included a practice round on a day preceding the tournament.

About HMH

Founded in 2003 in Dubai, HMH – Hospitality Management Holdings is a fully-integrated hotel management company that prides itself on being the first hotel chain in the Middle East to offer alcohol-free safe environment. It provides hotel owners and developers a broad spectrum of comprehensive management solutions with five distinct, yet complementary, hotel brands catering to varied market segments from budget to luxury. These include The Ajman Palace Hotel, Coral Hotels & Resorts, Corp Hotels, EWA Hotel Apartments and ECOS Hotels. Through its dynamic operation and strategic expansion in the Middle East and North Africa, HMH has been successful in unlocking a world of opportunities while creating value for its stakeholders, associates, staff members and customers. Its existing portfolio features superb properties located in some of the most desirable destinations across the MENA region, as well as a healthy pipeline of hotels under development.

For more information about HMH please visit http://www.hmhhotelgroup.com