Eastern Province got a new landmark yesterday when Gov. Prince Mohammad bin Fahd inaugurated the plush and airy Novotel Dammam five-star hotel.
Business is booming throughout the region, and the governor said the opening of the newest hotel by the Al-Hokair Group is a positive indicator for the Saudi economy, providing yet another fillip to the growing tourism and hospitality industry.
The governor was delighted with the opening and congratulated the Al-Hokair family members for their contribution to the development of the Eastern Province.
Referring to the group’s investments in different projects, including hotels and tourism, not only in the Eastern Province but also in other parts of the Kingdom, Prince Mohammad said: “This shows the commitment of Al-Hokairs to the nation … More notably, they are also involved in training and generating employment for young Saudis.”
Underlining the need for training Saudis for the burgeoning hospitality and tourism industry, the governor said plans were under way to open a college of tourism and hotel management in the region to train young Saudis in the two booming areas.
The governor called on hotel and apartment owners in the province to lower their prices with a view to attracting more tourists from within the Kingdom. “Let us all welcome holidaymakers to the Eastern Province and let us all make their stay in the Eastern Province comfortable and affordable,” the governor said.
The prince felt that projects, such as Novotel Dammam, would provide the much-needed injection to inbound tourism. “If we build more hotels and furnished apartments, it will definitely increase the profile of the region,” he said, adding: “More hotels mean more prestige.”
Prominent among those who were present at the inauguration were Al-Hokair Group President Abdul Mohsen Al-Hokair, Vice President Sami Al-Hokair and Novotel Dammam Hotel General Manager Najib Erraiss.
The SR 120 million hotel has 159 rooms with direct access to the main Alkhobar-Dammam highway. It is only 25 minutes drive from the King Fahd International Airport and 20 minutes to downtown Alkhobar. The hotel expects to cover all markets with appeal to business travelers, groups and families traveling to Dammam for shopping or short city breaks.
“The opening of Novotel Dammam is an important milestone for us. It signals our initial partnership with Accor, one of the world’s most respected hotel operators,” said Sami bin Abdul Mohsen Al-Hokair. “We trust in their extensive experience in managing world-class hotels and we believe that this new hotel will perform successfully. It represents an exciting opportunity for Al-Hokair Group to introduce its distinctive portfolio of world-class hotels.”
According to Erraiss, the hotel’s 159 rooms include 22 suites, 29 superior rooms and two special-needs rooms. “Many of the rooms are interconnected and suitable for families with young children. All rooms feature IDD telephones, satellite flat screen TV, high-speed Internet and WiFi connections, as well as 24-hour laundry service and all-day snack service,” he said.
