(MENAFN- The Peninsula) The Peninsula
Lucerne, Switzerland, Katara Hospitality, the leading global hotel owner, developer and operator based in Qatar, has unveiled the legendary Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne in Switzerland, in a grand ceremony marking the resort's official opening after nine years of construction work and an eventful opening year.
The Bürgenstock Resort, with its four hotels, shines out like a beacon over Lake Lucerne in all its new and majestic splendour.
Held under the patronage of Sheikh Nawaf bin Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani, Chairman of Katara Hospitality, the event was graced by the presence of Swiss Federal Councillor Schneider-Ammann, Hamad Abdullah Al-Mulla, Chief Executive Officer of Katara Hospitality, Bruno Schöpfer, Managing Director of Katara Hospitality Switzerland AG, state counselors and officials from Switzerland; in addition to over 1000 specially-invited highly esteemed guests.
On this occasion, Sheikh Nawaf said: 'We are honoured to witness the grand opening ceremony of the Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne, as it revives the property's prestigious past while marking a new step forward in the region's long tradition of hospitality.
Katara Hospitality is globally renowned for creating landmark hospitality gems that enhance the tourism landscape in the markets we operate, and such a momentous occasion further illustrates our continued success within the global luxury tourism sector.
Speaking to the media, Sheikh Nawaf said that Katara Hospitality will continue its investing in the hospitality sector. On Katara Hospitality's investments strategy in Europe, he said 'In Europe, we have 17 hotels with about 3500 rooms and twenty percent of these rooms are in Switzerland. Most of the investments are long-term sustainable investments and therefore are savings for future generations.
Dr. Khalid Al-Shafi (second right), Editor-in-Chief, The Peninsula, making a point during a media interaction with Sheikh Nawaf bin Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani (left), Chairman of Katara Hospitality, and Hamad Abdullah Al Mulla (second left), Chief Executive Officer of Katara Hospitality, on the sidelines of the grand opening of Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne in Switzerland, yesterday.
Katara Hospitality and AccorHotels, Europe's biggest hotels group, were announced plans to set up a $1bn investment fund targeting the hotels and hospitality sectors in sub-Saharan African countries.
The fund will amount to up to $500m in equity, of which Katara Hospitality and AccorHotels will contribute respectively up to $350m and $150m over the next 5-7 years, with additional funding capacity raising through leverage and co-investments.
Sheikh Nawaf said that Katara Hospitality' s investment cover six continents and seeking more and its investment will not stop. 'The only condition is that the investment should be encouraging for Katara Hospitality.
He said that Katara Hospitality announced an exclusive offer this summer for Qatari nationals and residents with discounts up to 40 percent, starting from June 15 to August 31, 2018.
'We might also come out with similar attractive offers to Qataris and he residents in future, Sheikh Nawaf added. On Katara Hospitality's 2019 plans he said: 'We are going to open new projects, and among them will be Al Masila Spa Resort.
Katara Hospitality continues to explore investment in a collection of unique properties in key sought-after international locations. When acquiring a property or engaging in a project, it always look for something extraordinary that sets the project apart.
'As experienced investors in the hospitality sector, we enjoy mutually beneficial relationships with a number of internationally renowned operating partners. These global operators are carefully chosen for sharing Katara Hospitality's own values and beliefs and also for their understanding of the particular needs of each property and market under consideration.
Swiss Federal Councillor Schneider-Ammann praised the pioneering spirit of the two Bürgenstock founders, Bucher and Durrer, who in the 19th century built a hotel complex to welcome guests from around the world high above Lake Lucerne, a feat that was well before its time and which required great entrepreneurial spirit.
Sheikh Nawaf bin Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani (fourth right), Chairman of Katara Hospitality, and other dignitaries during the grand opening of Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne in Switzerland, yesterday.
They then equipped it with the first electric funicular railway in Switzerland. 'It gives me great pleasure to see how this pioneering spirit lives on and how the Bürgenstock Resort is now equipped to welcome guests from all over the world once more to the heart of Switzerland with this incomparable view, said Swiss Federal Councillor Schneider-Ammann.
In line with Katara Hospitality's mission to preserve the heritage of iconic hotels around the world, the Burgenstock Resort has entirely reinvented itself, building on a long-standing tradition of attracting the world's elites. Overlooking Lake Lucerne, recently underwent a multimillion dollar extensive yet masterful redesign.
The iconic resort is the third project to open under The Burgenstock Selection, a collection of luxurious hotels in Switzerland owned by Katara Hospitality. The portfolio consists of the Burgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne, the Hotel Schweizerhof Bern & THE SPA and the Royal Savovy Hotel & Spa Lausanne.
Robert P.Herr, General manager of the Burgenstock Resort said: ' The 145-year history of the Burgenstock Resort makes us need to exceed the expectations of our hotel guests every day…. After a demanding opening, year, I am looking forward to successfully taking the Burgenstock Resort into the future, together with my team.
As an international hotel owner, developer and operator with over 45 years of experience in the industry, Katara Hospitality is focused on its global expansion. It has recently surpassed our target of 30 properties by 2016 two years ahead of schedule. Looking ahead to the next decade, its growth strategy focuses on international expansion, while continuing to develop the hotel landscape in Qatar.
Katara Hospitality's European presence is strong and it is looking to continue to expand the footprint here, as Katara Hospitality explores investment in iconic properties that have set the standards in the global hotel industry.
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