Turkish Rixos Hotels to operate all-inclusive resort on Red Sea Riviera

Rixos Hotels has marked a major milestone in its Middle East expansion strategy after signing an agreement to manage its largest all-inclusive luxury resort in the world on Egypt's Red Sea Riviera, hospitalitynet.org reports.

Since Accor bought a 50% stake in the company, it has identified opportunities including partnering with the Eastern Company for Investment and Touristic Development to takeover and renovate an existing beachfront property. Scheduled for completion in 2020, it will be re-launched as the Rixos Hurghada Makadi Bay - a 1,636-key mega resort with world-class leisure, sports and entertainment facilities for which the Rixos brand is globally renowned.

The stand-out property will boast a spectacular location in a secluded bay on the Red Sea, just south of Hurghada - a global hotspot for scuba diving, family getaways and golf breaks.

Resort highlights will include individual villas, an extensive indoor and outdoor spa, fitness facilities, kids clubs, a waterpark, beach lounge, spacious conference centre, vast F&B wide-ranging F&B options and an expansive entertainment area with an amphitheatre.

It is expected to become the preferred destination for discerning travellers as well as corporate group business from key source markets such as Europe and the CIS.

"This marks a pivotal moment in the growth story of our brand, bringing to market our largest resort globally and offering our most comprehensive range of facilities and unique and dynamic entertainment experiences yet," noted Fettah Tamince, Founder and Chairman of Rixos Hotels.

"We are delighted to partner with the Eastern Company for Investment and Touristic Development to launch this flagship project, which will set a new benchmark for luxury all-inclusive all-exclusive resorts in Egypt and the wider Middle East."

Mahmoud El-Sayed Moussa El-Sharkawy, CEO, the Eastern Company for Investment and Touristic Development, continued: "Our vision is to transform Makadi Bay into the leading leisure and entertainment destination on the Red Sea and in this respect, the Rixos brand, with its successful one-of-a-kind hospitality concept and proven expertise operating in Egypt's resort market, makes strategic sense. It's the perfect fit."

Rixos Hurghada Makadi Bay represents the first project of its kind since Accor joined forces with Rixos in 2017, strengthening the brand's footprint to four resorts in Egypt where its already operates properties in Alamein and Sharm El Sheikh and eight more across the Middle East.

"This unique takeover opportunity strengthens the Rixos offering in Egypt's Red Sea Riviera and highlights the strong collaboration Accor has established  with Rixos team to develop the brand regionally and globally," pointed out Mark Willis, CEO, Accor Middle East & Africa.

"We would like to thank all the parties involved in this landmark project, which offers the right mix of elements in terms of scale of inventory and facilities to embody the Rixos business model and to boost awareness of its exclusive luxury offering in key regional and global markets."

The renovation plan of the existing development in Makadi Bay will be phased in two stages, each spanning a year, with phase one already underway and including the addition of wings and facilities to uplift the hotel in line with Rixos brand standards.

When phase one is finished, Rixos Hurghada Makadi Bay will be officially launched and feature 815 keys including villas, 12 F&B outlets, a beach lounge, 1,500 sqm of meeting space, a spa and wellness area covering 2,400 sqm, multiple pools, a small aqua park, kids' clubs and expansive outdoor areas for fitness and entertainment programmes.

Phase two of the renovation plan will begin as soon as the property opens its doors and will include a 23,000-sqm water park, as well as upgrades to the remaining hotel inventory.

Founded in 2000, Rixos Hotels is a Turkey-based luxury brand with a global portfolio of 25 hotels in 7 countries, 17 of which are operated as waterfront resorts and welcomes more than 1 million guest annually. The chain embodies traditional Turkish hospitality and features unique health treatment clubs and entertainment experiences for guests of all ages.

Since Accor bought a 50% stake in the company in 2017 it has identified opportunities to introduce its all-inclusive, all-exclusive fully-integrated entertainment resort model to key Middle East markets where this concept is new but fast gaining traction.

Rixos Hurghada Makadi Bay will expand Accor's footprint in Egypt to 25 properties strong with 13 more projects pipelined across its diversified portfolio of brands including Fairmont and Movenpick.

On Egypt's Red Sea and north coast, the Group's portfolio currently includes Rixos Sharm El Sheikh, Rixos Alamein and Rixos Premium Seagate in Nabq Bay, as well as Mövenpick El Gouna and Mövenpick Soma Bay.

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