Rotana Hotels & Resorts announced the launch of Edge Sharm El Sheikh Sea Beach Resort, which joins the company's portfolio under a long-term franchise agreement with Nubia Sharm for Tourist Projects (Sea Beach), becoming the first hotel to carry the "Edge by Rotana" brand in Egypt, in a step that reflects Rotana's commitment to strengthening its presence in North Africa and supporting the country's hospitality and tourism sectors.
The official launch ceremony was attended by Sherif Fathy, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities; Major General Dr. Khaled Mubarak, Governor of South Sinai; Ambassador Hamad Obaid Al Zaabi, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to the Arab Republic of Egypt; Abdulbasit Mohammed Al Marzouqi, Deputy Head of the UAE Mission; Nasser Al Nowais, Chairman of Rotana; Philip Barnes, CEO of Rotana; and Mohamed El-Hagry, Chairman of Nubia Sharm for Tourist Projects, the hotel's owner, along with a select group of leaders from the business and travel sectors.
In his speech, the Governor of South Sinai affirmed that the opening of the new facility comes within the framework of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi's directives to support the tourism sector and enhance the investment climate, noting that the event reflects the confidence of major regional and international companies in the Egyptian economy and in the prestigious position Sharm El-Sheikh enjoys on the global tourism map.
The governor explained that establishing new resorts represents a qualitative addition to the governorate's tourism infrastructure and an important step in developing the sector, given the advanced hospitality services and international standards they offer, which enhance Sharm El-Sheikh's competitiveness and its ability to attract more inbound tourism.
He also affirmed that South Sinai has distinctive assets that make it a leading destination for tourism, entertainment and wellness, pointing to the governorate's continuous support for serious projects that help create new job opportunities, strengthen the economies of tourist cities and present an honorable image of Egypt to the world.
The ceremony included a festive evening featuring a private reception, a tour of the resort and artistic and musical performances by the "Arab Music Heritage" band. The event officially celebrated the property's conversion to the "Edge by Rotana" brand, beginning a new chapter that adds an upscale touch to Sharm El-Sheikh's hospitality scene.
The resort is located in the Nabq area of Sharm El-Sheikh and currently has 650 rooms and suites, with a plan to increase the number to 1,000 rooms and suites over the next 24 months. The resort offers a range of recreational facilities and dining experiences suitable for families and holidaymakers, with a blend of modern comfort and the authentic charm of the Red Sea that reflects Rotana's standards of hotel excellence.
The resort features more than 11 restaurants and cafes and 5 swimming pools, including a children's pool, in addition to a world-class water park with 27 slides and a lazy river. The resort also offers direct access to a 255-meter private sandy beach and a 1-km jetty overlooking the Red Sea's famous coral reefs.
Facilities also include a kids' club, sports courts, a health center, conference halls and a medical clinic, providing an integrated experience suitable for families and leisure travelers.
For his part, Philip Barnes, CEO of Rotana, said: "The launch of Edge Sharm El Sheikh Sea Beach Resort marks an important step in Rotana's growth journey in North Africa and the introduction of the Edge by Rotana brand to the Egyptian market. Egypt is one of the key pillars of the region's hospitality sector, and we see great opportunities for growth there, driven by the country's tourism vision and its distinctive talent. We are pleased to work with Nubia Sharm for Tourist Projects to bring Rotana's operational expertise and people-centric approach to a market that plays a pivotal role in developing regional tourism."
Mohamed El-Hagry, owner of Nubia Sharm for Tourist Projects (Sea Beach), said: "The opening of Edge Sharm El Sheikh Sea Beach Resort is a proud milestone for Nubia Sharm and for Sharm El-Sheikh, which continues to strengthen its position as a leading Red Sea destination. Our partnership with Rotana, a brand that belongs to the region and is renowned for its authentic hospitality, helps raise the level of operations and the quality of the guest experience. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to supporting Egypt's tourism sector and developing destinations that showcase our culture, our people and the true spirit of hospitality."
The launch of the resort marks a new step in Rotana's expansion journey based on strategic partnerships and flexible operating models. The "Edge by Rotana" brand allows independent hotels to benefit from Rotana's systems and operational expertise while maintaining their local identity.
This new opening strengthens Rotana's presence in the Middle East and Africa, where the company currently operates 79 hotels in more than 29 cities. Its development plans include more than 9,000 rooms in the pipeline, including 36 international properties and 4 new openings in the United Arab Emirates. Rotana continues to cement its position in high-growth tourist destinations and to support regional efforts to enhance hospitality offerings and attract long-term investment.
Rotana is one of the region's leading hospitality companies and was founded in Abu Dhabi in 1992. The company manages a portfolio of more than 116 hotels and properties in operation and under development across the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe and Turkey. Rotana is known for its commitment to quality and guest satisfaction, operating 6 distinctive brands: Rotana Hotels & Resorts, Centro Hotels, Rayhaan Hotels & Resorts, Arjaan Hotel Apartments, Edge by Rotana and The Residences by Rotana.
As a member of the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), Rotana is part of the GHA DISCOVERY loyalty program, one of the world's largest loyalty programs for independent hotel brands, which offers its guests exclusive benefits at more than 900 hotels in about 100 countries.
It is worth noting that Nubia Sharm for Tourist Projects (Sea Beach) is a leading company in hotel and tourism contracting, founded in 1997, which has implemented many projects, including:
Ain Sokhna: a project comprising 500 units.
Sharm El-Sheikh: a residential project comprising 250 units and villas, and a commercial mall with 110 shops.
Nubia Sharm for Tourist Projects owns Traviond Travel, which offers a range of tourism services, including Hajj and Umrah services, various tourism services, airline ticket booking, catering services, issuance of all tourist visas, and premium service and VIP lounges at all Egyptian airports.
