Leading Mena hotel management company, Rotana, has signed its first agreement in Iskenderun, Turkey, with Rhossos Tourism and Hospitality to manage its 300-room Rhossos Rotana Resort and Serviced Apartments.

The hotel which is expected to open in 2014, will feature a 200 m private beach front, Turkish spa & health club, business centre, large wedding and banqueting facilities, swimming pool and a variety of food & beverage outlets, a statement from Rotana said.

In addition to the hotel and serviced apartments, the property will include a high-end retail destination, complementing the needs of the vibrant local community as well as the leisure and business visitors, the statement said.

As a commercial and industrial key port city, Iskenderun attracts high numbers of visitors and overseas business travelers, particularly those from the industrial sectors, it said.

Tourist numbers in the Hatay region are also rising, with travelers seeking out the region’s natural and cultural attractions including the Mediterranean sea-side, the mountainous landscape, and significant historical and religious landmark heritage including the rock-carved Church of St Peter, known as the first church of the world.

Selim El Zyr, president & CEO of Rotana, said: “Turkey has always been a very important market for Rotana and we aim to manage hotels in key locations within the country, marking our entry with the landmark Rhossos Rotana Iskenderun property.”
  
Turkey as ranked consecutively amongst the top 10 most popular places to visit among all European travelers in summers for both years 2010 and 2011 and continuous to do so in 2012, according to the trivago Hotel Destination Trends 2011 (tHDT).

In order to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Turkish Republic, a goal has been set to reach 70 million tourist arrivals to Turkey with $80 billion by 2023. – TradeArabia News Service