Why Rotana Would Rather Grow Slow Than Big | Rotana Hotels Expansion | FHS 2026 | Eddy Tannous
Exclusive interview with Eddy Tannous, COO at Rotana Hotels, at FHS 2026 Dubai. Key Highlights: 1. Eddy Tannous describes the mood at FHS 2026 as "positive, positive, positive," citing ATM Dubai's rescheduled September edition as proof the region continues to grow and remains resilient. 2. Despite an exceptional geopolitical situation over the past 4-5 months, Rotana hasn't lost a single employee and remains profitable, even as business activity has been impacted. 3. FHS hosted a meeting with the UAE Minister of Economy attended by around 40 investors, operators, and tourism board directors, all focused on promoting the destination itself rather than individual brands. 4. Eddy credits the region's leadership vision (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia) for instilling the determination to hit ambitious targets regardless of challenges, a mindset Rotana applies to its own growth. 5. Rotana is deliberately pursuing organic, sustainable growth, avoiding rapid, unchecked expansion, while picking partners who share its values and preserving a consistent guest and owner promise across every property. 6. The brand is expanding into new frontiers including the UK, Georgia, Eastern Europe (with conversations in Armenia and Kazakhstan), and Africa, staying close enough to maintain strong on-the-ground support. 7. Brand consistency is maintained through a focus on the five senses, smell, sound, sight, feel, and touch, ensuring guests recognize Rotana, Centro, or Arjaan properties anywhere in the world. 8. With Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 targeting a rise in tourism's GDP contribution from 3% to 12.5%, Rotana currently manages 13 hotels in the Kingdom with another 13-15 in the pipeline. 9. Rotana is investing in local talent development across Saudi Arabia and the UAE, building clear career paths that can take a receptionist to general manager in 7-12 years. About Travel And Tour World: Travel And Tour World is a global travel media platform covering travel, tourism, hospitality, aviation, MICE, cruise, and luxury travel, with readership across 195 countries. [Rotana hotels, FHS 2026 Dubai, Saudi Arabia hospitality, hotel expansion, Vision 2030 tourism, local talent development, Rotana hotel pipeline Saudi Arabia expansion, Rotana expansion Africa Georgia Eastern Europe, Saudi Vision 2030 tourism GDP contribution, sustainable organic hotel growth strategy, hotel brand consistency across cultures, Middle East hospitality resilience geopolitical crisis] #Rotana #FHS2026 #SaudiArabiaHospitality #HotelExpansion #Vision2030 #MiddleEastHospitality #HospitalityTalent #TravelAndTourWorld