Elaf Group of Companies, a leading company in the Saudi Arabian travel, tourism and hotel industry, has won the contract to manage a five-star hotel at the Red Sea Mall in Jeddah.

The group plans to invest SR72 million ($19.4 million) into "Elaf Jeddah Red Sea Mall” which will open its doors in July 2009, said a top official.

The deal comes within the framework of the strategic plan drawn up by Elaf for 2009, which sets out the process of expansion and ambitious development goals of the group over the next five years.

"Our inclusion in the Red Sea Hotel’s operations complements our aim of significantly contributing to the growth of tourism in the Kingdom, which we will realise through superior and innovative services," said Ziyad Bin Mahfouz, president, Elaf Group of Companies.

"Through our professional yet friendly and personal approach, the hotel’s guests will be exposed to an environment which allows them to relax and reenergize. We want to fully complement the hotel’s unique location, which provides picturesque views of the Red Sea,” he remarked.

Red Sea Hotel features 130 double-sized rooms and 37 king-sized rooms, a restaurant, function rooms, and a business center, where all the rooms have captivating views of the Red Sea.

It is located downtown adjacent to Jeddah’s commercial and financial districts and is only 15 minutes drive away from King Abdul Aziz Airport and 10 minutes from the Industrial City and the Exhibition Centre.

Elaf Group of Companies is a fully integrated organization providing a comprehensive portfolio of hotel, travel, tourism, Hajj and Umrah services.

Ranked as one of the top 100 corporations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; the group has extensive Saudi Arabian experience and expertise.

It constantly upgrades its leisure tourist and recreational segment. Elaf plans to implement several new projects and the group continues to play a key role in the growth of Saudi Arabia's tourism sector.-TradeArabia News Service