Coral to unveil its expansion strategy

ATN talks to Coral International Hotels, Resorts and Spas managing director Michel Noblet about the group's about portfolio expansion plans to be announced at ATM.

What have you got planned for ATM?

Coral International Hotels, Resorts & Spas has a lot on its agenda this ATM. We are going to have two independent stands this year. Besides showcasing our existing and upcoming properties we will be focusing on new services and products.

What big announcements will you make?

This year and the next will see the addition of several new components to the Coral International Hotels, Resorts & Spas portfolio.

We hope to unveil these during ATM. Our development strategy is driven by a combination of objectives including expansion and consolidation in key markets.

While the Middle East is central to our growth, we are gearing up to explore fresh grounds in Asia and Africa. We have a particularly strong interest in India, Pakistan and Iran.

What assistance will you offer the local travel trade at the exhibition?

Our entire sales force will be present on our stands along with the corporate team to introduce the local as well as international travel trade to our existing and upcoming projects.

In addition, we are creating some special brochures and other marketing material to help us to reach out to a wider audience.

What will be the big talking points at ATM?

Everyone seems to be eyeing the budget and serviced apartments segment at the moment, and rightly so.

The pyramid is very much upside down in the region with too many luxury hotels.

However, the trend is reversing with more brands moving towards mid-scale products. We hope to see some new additions in that segment.

Of course, Dubai never fails to delight and surprise. We are looking forward to hearing about the city's new mega-projects.

Do you intend to make new property announcements at ATM?

There are some beautiful properties taking shape in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ajman, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah.

Plans are well advanced for the first ECOS Hotel in Dubai as well. We have two amazing developments coming up in KSA for Corp Executive Hotels.

We are also close to finalising some brilliant deals in Qatar, Bahrain and Oman. In addition, we have many unique opportunities lined up outside the region, particularly in North, South and East Africa.

We will be giving details about all these developments during ATM.

What key source markets are you targeting for your properties?

We are targeting the GCC, Europe, Russia and Asia - particularly the Far East and the Indian Subcontinent.

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