AL KHOZAMA Management Company (AKMC) has announced the signing of a management agreement for its first five-star hotel in the holy city of Madina, the Al Faisaliah Hotel Madinah. The company, which already operates the five-star AKMC-Al Shohada Hotel in Makkah, is scheduled to open the new property by the end of 2011. AKMC is keen to promote the kingdom, particularly in the business and religious travel sectors, where the latter currently accounts for 47.1 per cent of all arrivals. Last year alone almost one million Ramadan visas for foreign pilgrims were issued by the Ministry of Haj, an increase of 16 per cent on the previous year. Musaed Al-Said, CEO of AKMC, said: 'As a hotel management company, we are well positioned today to serve the huge demand we expect to see in Saudi Arabia. The government is actively seeking to develop the city’s infrastructure and we, as a service provider, have much to benefit. By the end of 2012, we expect to take our total room inventory to 2,000 rooms in Saudi Arabia. 'The demand for upscale, quality hotel rooms will always be there, given the country’s unique position as a religious destination.' While various regional and international hotel companies continue to develop into Saudi Arabia, Al-Said is confident that AKMC, which has been recognised with more than 20 international awards for excellence in hospitality in the past two years alone, can stay ahead of the game. The Al Faisaliah Hotel Madinah will comprise 495 well-appointed guest rooms and suites, a number of restaurant and dining options and the first spa and wellness studio in Madinah, while the boutique Al Khozama Hotel-Madinah is located on the western periphery of the Prophet’s Mosque and will offer 140 rooms and suites when it opens doors later this year.
