Sheikh Faisal signs JV agreement with Indian hotelier to set up global management company

HE Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al-Thani, chairman, Al Sawari Holding and Qatari Business Association, and Amruda Nair, joint managing director and chief executive officer, Aiana Hotels & Resorts, have signed a joint venture agreement to create Aiana Hotels & Resorts, a global hotel management company with the “fabled Indian service ethos” at its heart. Both partners share the common vision of creating a brand that will appeal to young professionals and global travellers and provide its guests with unique, and enriching experiences, as well as bringing the first Asian-inspired hotel to Qatar.The new joint venture company, Aiana Hotels & Resorts, will embody a hospitality brand of upper upscale hotels and leading operator of hotels, resorts and serviced apartments in the Middle East, the Sub-Continent and South East Asia. To mark the launch, Aiana Hotels & Resorts unveiled the visual identity of the brand. Aiana, meaning “eternal blossom” in Sanskrit, also means a place of refuge or retreat.  These two powerful and evocative images represented as the universal symbol of the “mandala” in the brand logo, come together to represent the unique experience that Aiana promises its guests.“The joint venture combines the resources and visionary entrepreneurial skills of HE Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al-Thani, chairman, Al Sawari Holding with the hospitality expertise and passion of Amruda Nair, herself a third generation hotelier, driven by a desire to redefine hospitality today,” Al Sawari Holding said in a release.Aiana Hotels & Resorts reflects the strengths of its principals – business excellence and Indian hospitality to cater to the growing demand for value added offerings in the upper upscale hospitality segment and offers hotel owners an effective management solution from an experienced team of hospitality specialists.  The joint venture, with both partners having an equal share, will be based in Doha and operate under the name Aiana Hotels & Resorts. HE the Minister of Economy and Commerce Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin mohamed al-Thani stated at the signing ceremony that “Qatar is taking an unprecedented leap in development due to the economic boom the country is experiencing at all levels, clearly illustrated by the projects we are set to carry out over the next few years, especially in infrastructure.“I am delighted to witness the signing of the memorandum of understanding between Al Sawari Holding and Amruda Nair, scion of famous Leela hotel group family in India, with the aim of introducing a new brand to the Qatari hospitality market that is already home to several internationally renowned names. The new brand will definitely make a valuable addition to the local tourism sector,” Sheikh Ahmed said.Sheikh Faisal said, “Given the long standing relationship between Qatar and India, there is great synergy in the similar way that we travel.  This is why we want to bring Aiana as a new lifestyle hotel brand to the Middle East and will continue to support Aiana through our ambitious expansion plans for acquisitions in key destinations starting with the property in Doha with many more to follow in Western Europe (London) and the US.”  Nair said, “With the launch of Aiana Hotels and Resorts, I am delighted to be introducing a brand I am confident will become the preferred choice of travellers seeking authentic and immersive experiences that will stay with them long after they have checked out. I was fortunate to meet HE Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al-Thani who shared my passion for hospitality and supported my dreams and ambitions of creating an Indian brand with a global presence. Our service, design, and operating philosophy are geared to exceed the expectations of a new generation of savvy travellers. We call it Hospitality 2.0”.