EIH has applied to the Turkish government for a luxury hotel in Istanbul.This is part of the growing economic relations between India and Turkey which was fast-tracked to coincide with Turkish president Abdullah Gul’s official visit to India.
In a written statement, Turkey’s Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK) confirmed the Oberoi Group’s plans to open a luxury hotel in Istanbul. Said Ketaki Narain, director, corporate communications, The Oberoi Group: “The Oberoi Group is exploring opportunities in Turkey. At present, we do not have anything more definite to share.”
The Turkish plan is in addition to EIH’s MENA ambitions where it will soon have three new hotels in the region. A 252-room Oberoi in Dubai is slated to open next year, while an Oberoi each in Abu Dhabi and Oman are under way. All three will be managed by the Oberoi Group.
With increased development in the region, the Group is also preparing to ramp up its awareness campaign in the Middle East through its re-opened London office last December, following a major re-structuring of its sales and marketing structure.
“The opening of the London office not only allows us to re-connect with our UK and European travel trade partners, but for the first time, gives us a chance to focus on the Middle East market – one that is growing in terms of outbound business to India and one we are placing great importance on,” said Mark Allvey, vice president of sales and marketing, EMEA.
