Revolutionary Hotel Identifying Additional Sites
A prototype of YOTEL, the world"s most revolutionary hotel concept, was unveiled by Simon Woodroffe, CEO and Founder of YO! Everything and Gerard Greene, CEO of YOTEL at the Arabian Travel Market 2006 on Tuesday, May 2, 2006, introducing the innovative idea to Middle East audiences for the first time.
The prototype was unveiled in the presence of Talal Jassim Al Bahar, Chairman and Managing Director, IFA Hotels & Resorts. It will be on show at the IFA Hotels & Resorts" Stand 3410 throughout ATM 2006, the Middle East"s leading four-day travel and trade show which began at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre today.
Speaking to the media at the unveiling ceremony, Al Bahar said: "It"s very exciting to be showcasing the YOTEL concept for the first time in the Middle East and we are on the look-out for locations where this innovative hotel can be developed for the regional market. We are in the midst of extensive negotiations with strategic international airports worldwide at the moment, and will be announcing the outcome of these during the course of the year. Dubai is a strategic hub for international travelers and we are exploring opportunities to locate a YOTEL in this exciting market."
Woodroffe said: "YOTEL is the hotel of the future, offering luxury accommodation at an affordable price. The potential for the growth of this concept is immense. We are currently negotiating for a number of sites for YOTEL hotels across the globe and the Middle East is high on our agenda."
"YOTEL is most suitable for major transportation hubs and urban destinations that host a strong mix of leisure and business visitors which makes Dubai and other Middle East cities paramount to our expansion plans. It took us three years to develop this radical new concept, which has the potential to forever transform the hotel industry. I"m truly delighted to bring YOTEL to Dubai," Woodroffe added.
The first of YOTEL"s pioneering, luxurious "cabin" hotels are due to open in London in November 2006. Backed by major shareholder, Kuwait-based IFA Hotels & Resorts, a 40-cabin YOTEL will open within Terminal 4 of London Heathrow Airport while a 50-cabin YOTEL will open within London Gatwick Airport"s South Terminal building.
A cross between Japanese pod hotels and business-class air travel, YOTEL is the brainchild of Woodroffe, who hit upon the idea after being upgraded to first-class on a British Airways flight to the Middle East, and decided to translate the language of luxury airline travel into a small capsule-style hotel. The concept was evolved into today"s YOTEL hotel by Greene.
Woodroffe is also the creative force behind the worldwide restaurant brand YO! Sushi, which already has a presence in Dubai. He is well-known as an entrepreneur in the UK following a stint as a "dragon" on the popular UK BBC2 television series, "The Dragons" Den" where aspiring entrepreneurs vie for support from established business people.
Al Bahar concluded: "IFA Hotels & Resorts" aim is to provide a truly outstanding international network of tourism opportunities to global consumers. YOTEL represents our commitment to partnering with innovative industry leaders, and typifies the diverse portfolio of products in our expansion plans."