Rotana expands into Iraq with plans for two new hotels in Baghdad
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – Abu Dhabi-based Rotana Hotels Group has unveiled a strategic expansion into the Iraqi market, announcing the launch of two new midscale properties in Baghdad: Centro Baghdad (Miraj), featuring 210 rooms, and Centro Green Zone Baghdad, with 150 rooms.
The announcement was made during the Arabian Travel Market (ATM), a prominent travel and tourism exhibition held in Dubai.
The two new hotels underscore Rotana's growing investment in Iraq and its commitment to serving both local and regional business travelers. In addition to offering midscale accommodations, the new developments will include full-service hotels and branded residences, further diversifying the hospitality options in Baghdad.
Rotana's move signals strong confidence in Iraq's evolving hospitality sector and highlights the company's proven ability to operate successfully in dynamic and emerging markets. The investment aligns with the country's broader trend of increasing stability and economic growth, especially in the capital.
Rotana is currently operating the Babylon Rotana hotel, offering 284 rooms and suites with views of Baghdad's skyline.
Recent developments in Baghdad's hotel landscape include the newly opened Movenpick, as reported by IraqiNews.com, and the highly anticipated Rixos Hotel, set to open in 2026, which promises to bring luxury hospitality to a new level in Iraq.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Iraq Business
2 hours ago
- Iraq Business
Al-Mathar Group Acquires 4 Corners Creative Agency
By John Lee. Baghdad-based advertising firm 4 Corners Creative Agency has announced that it has been acquired in full by Al-Mathar Group, marking what it describes as, " a strategic step aimed at supporting the agency's growth and strengthening its position in both the local and regional markets. " 4 Corners was founded in 2016 by Ameer Alaa. Under the agreement, the agency's current leadership will assume advisory roles, while a new executive team will focus on innovation, regional expansion, and strategic partnerships. Al-Mathar Group, established as an engineering business in 2004, said the acquisition reflects its strong belief in the potential of Iraq's creative sector and its commitment to investing in local brands with regional impact. The group expressed its vision to transform 4 Corners into a regional hub for excellence in advertising and marketing. (Source: 4 Corners) Tags: 4 Corners Creative Agency, advertising, Al-Mathar Group, cg, featured
Iraq Business
2 hours ago
- Iraq Business
Iraqi Private Sector Faces Four Key Challenges, Says Professor
By John Lee. The Iraqi private sector confronts significant obstacles that must be addressed to unlock the country's economic potential, according to Professor Frank Gunter of Lehigh University, speaking at the Iraq Britain Business Council (IBBC) Spring Conference in London recently. Professor Gunter identified four critical challenges hampering private enterprise development in Iraq: Finance: Iraqi businesses struggle to access basic financial services including cross-country bill payments and funding. "The first source of funds is family, not a bank, not a loan, not a venture capitalist," Professor Gunter noted, emphasising that this reliance on family financing must change for sustainable growth. Education: The country faces challenges in both quantity and quality of education. Iraq had been making progress in reducing illiteracy until ISIS disrupted educational systems between 2014 and 2017, forcing many out of schools and creating refugee populations. The professor stressed the need to eliminate illiteracy, particularly among older workers, whilst improving educational quality to meet private sector demands for engineers and scientifically-trained personnel rather than bureaucrats. Infrastructure: Basic infrastructure remains deficient, with Iraq lacking reliable 24-hour electricity despite two decades of substantial investment spending. Regulatory Environment: This emerged as perhaps the most damaging constraint. Professor Gunter cited a recent World Bank study examining 50 countries, which found Iraq ranking last among 16 nations with similar economic development levels for regulatory quality. Even when compared to all 50 countries studied-including those with lower development levels and nations experiencing civil wars-Iraq ranked 45th. The findings suggest substantial reform will be required across multiple sectors to create a conducive environment for private enterprise in Iraq.
Shafaq News
3 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Zakho tourism reports over 38,000 visitors during Eid holiday
Shafaq News/ More than 38,500 tourists visited the area over the past four days, Zakho's Tourism Directorate announced on Wednesday. Spokesperson Bewar Sindi told Shafaq News Agency that 22,000 visitors came from other Iraqi provinces, 15,000 from within the Kurdistan Region, and over 1,200 from outside Iraq. He stated that the tourism office had prepared in advance to receive tourists during the holiday., highlighting that Zakho features a variety of attractions, including Sharanish, Berkh, Surya, and the Baher cave, all of which saw heavy visitor traffic during the break. Tourists shared their impressions with Shafaq News. Sanaa Hussein, who traveled with her family from Baghdad, described Zakho as a beautiful city with growing tourism appeal. 'We escaped Baghdad's heat to enjoy the pleasant weather here,' she said. Abbas Fadhil, visiting from Basra, praised the cool water in the cave and the enjoyable atmosphere. However, he noted a need for infrastructure improvements, especially the roads leading to some tourist sites.
