UDC and CHL sign deal to operate Corinthia Doha in Gewan Island

DOHA:  United Development Company (UDC) has signed an agreement with Corinthia Hotels Limited (CHL) to manage and operate Corinthia Doha, which will be located in Gewan Island, UDC’s newest flagship real estate development.

UDC is a leading Qatari public shareholding company and master developer of The Pearl-Qatar and Gewan Island.

The agreement was signed in Corinthia London on February 27, in the presence of UDC senior officials, including Turki bin Mohammed Al Khater, Chairman; Ibrahim Jassim Al Othman, President, CEO and board member of UDC. Representing Corinthia Hotels at the signing ceremony were Simon Naudi, CEO, and Paul Pisani, Senior Vice-President for Development.

Under the agreement, Corinthia Hotels, a limited company incorporated under the laws of Malta, will manage and operate the first Corinthia Hotel in Doha which will be constructed by UDC.

Corinthia Hotels currently operates a group of luxury hotels in major cities including London, Lisbon, Prague, Budapest, Malta, Tripoli, Al-Khartoum, St Petersburg, Rome, Brussels, Moscow, Dubai and Bucharest among several others in Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

Corinthia Doha is therefore poised to be a prominent structure in Gewan Island, overlooking the Island’s planned golf course and beach club.

Corinthia Doha will be established on an area of 13,000 sqm and will comprise 110 guestrooms, a banquet hall and outdoor patio with a 1,000 people capacity, an all-day dining and specialty restaurants in addition to a luxurious spa facility.

Commenting on the agreement, UDC Chairman Al Khater said: “This project is part of Gewan Island’s development plans and will ensure the Company’s sustainable growth and the creation of new opportunities and revenue sources over the long term.”

He also highlighted that partnership with Corinthia Hotels which boasts an extensive experience in managing and operating hotels worldwide, falls in line with UDC’s development strategy to support Qatar’s real estate sector and underscores the importance of constructive partnerships that support the national economy and facilitate foreign investment.

For his part, UDC President and CEO (Al Othman) said that the leading reputation of Corinthia Hotels in the hospitality sector and its success in providing luxury hospitality services and facilities, and spreading its Mediterranean heritage culture internationally, are the main motives for choosing it to manage the new landmark hotel in Gewan Island.

Al Othman added: “Driven by UDC’s mission and vision, the agreement with Corinthia Hotels lays solid foundations for UDC’s expansion plans through investments in vital sectors such as real estate and hospitality that aim to optimize and sustain good shareholder value.

This is further evidenced by the growth witnessed in the tourism movement in Qatar as a result of recent various government incentives, which in turn bodes well for UDC’s planned developments in its flagship projects; The Pearl-Qatar and Gewan Island.”

Further echoing their excitement to be operating in the Qatari market, Simon Naudi, CEO of Corinthia Hotels, said: “We are delighted to have signed an agreement with UDC to manage a luxury hotel in Gewan Island which promises to be a magnificent location. The energy, vision and quality of resources assembled by UDC for this project will ensure that Corinthia Doha will be another landmark property that will enrich our portfolio and will equally add value to Doha’s hospitality offerings.”

Gewan Island, UDC’s latest real-estate project, is situated next to The Pearl-Qatar, spanning 400,000 sqm. Once completed, the Island will accommodate 3,500 residents and a similar number of daily visitors.

Gewan Island will also feature a world-class golf course with a beach club, an air conditioned ‘Crystal Walkway’ outdoor promenade, parks and green areas, which will play a major role in attracting various new brands to Doha.