Hello and welcome to a new edition of Rotana Lifestyle – our exclusive digital platform offering plenty of inspiration on all things travel, art, fashion, food and more
What a great time it is to be in the Middle East! With the exciting line-up of sporting events set to take over our stadiums, courts and tracks, we are, undoubtedly, starting a new chapter of sports tourism in the region. The National Basketball Association has made its way to the UAE capital, there are plenty of thrills awaiting football fans in neighbouring Qatar and the biggest names in the world of motor racing will once again light up Yas Marina Circuit when Formula One returns to Abu Dhabi. Aside from the sporting action, the GCC's event calendar for the season remains packed with cultural fairs, shopping festivals, concerts, theatre productions and more. Yet, this is only just the beginning.
The Middle East has truly cemented itself on a global stage as a competent host for some of the most high-profile international events. And, at Rotana, we couldn't be more excited as we prepare to welcome travellers from around the world to experience the best of what the region has to offer. Helping you make the most of your time, our latest edition of Rotana Lifestyle has you covered. From the best things to do during the winter months in the Middle East to the latest attractions, must-attend events and more, you're sure to find plenty of inspiration.
Rounding up all that's new and exciting, Dubai recently welcomed Expo City on the first anniversary of the opening of Expo 2020 Dubai. The site will carry the legacy of this mega event forward with a host of best-loved Expo 2020 Dubai experiences and new activities. Making our way through the region, we go behind the scenes at Neom – a city of the future taking shape in Saudi Arabia – before we give you an in-depth insight into the region's sporting calendar.
Fresh off the runway, our fashion edit for Autumn/Winter 2022 was inspired by the Big Four, the highly acclaimed fashion weeks in New York, London, Milan and Paris. So whether you're looking to update your wardrobe with key pieces or are seeking the perfect present this holiday season, we've got you covered!
And last, but not least, we have some very exciting updates at Rotana to keep up with the positive changes taking place in this part of the world and I'd like to invite you to take a closer look. First, take a look at our newly opened Slemani Rotana hotel in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq, before diving further into our latest property developments. Marking our foray into the Algerian market, our brand new property, Azure Rotana Resort & Spa, Oran, is set to open early next year on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, and our Qatar portfolio will also see the addition of two new properties, set to open in time for FIFA World Cup. We are also excited to announce the opening of Arabian Park Hotel and Damac Hills 2 Hotel, under our latest brand Edge by Rotana.
On behalf of the entire team, I look forward to welcoming you to a Rotana hotel very soon and hope you enjoy browsing this edition of Rotana Lifestyle.
With kind regards,
Guy Hutchinson
President & CEO