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Ras Al Khaimah announces a joint venture with US-based Argentum Development Company.
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| 1 May 2007 |
Ras Al Khaimah's Investment and Development Office of the Government of Ras Al Khaimah (IDO) has announced a multi-billion-dollar joint venture with US-based Argentum Development Company, LLC, to construct the 'International Hospitality Trade and Training Zone' (ihottz), a regional hub for the global hospitality industry.
Located in Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates, on 350 acres of prime real estate, ihottz, estimated to cost AED10 billion, will include a 260-acre hospitality industry free trade zone development and an additional 90-acre hospitality education campus. ihottz will provide focused trade support services and multi-level professional training for the expanding and dynamic hospitality industry in the region and beyond.
ihottz is one-of-a-kind; a hospitality trade and training hub that addresses the needs of every segment of the international hospitality and tourism industry. 'This exciting initiative is in line with the strategy of His Highness Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince & Deputy Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah to create unique avenues of opportunity in the hospitality and educational sectors in the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, transforming it into a sought-after destination for investment, leisure and tourism. This project will enable Ras Al Khaimah to meet all the demands of the booming hospitality industry in the region' stated Dr. Izzat Dajani, Chief Executive of Investment & Development Office, Government of Ras Al Khaimah. 'We are delighted to present this innovative partnership' Dr. Dajani added.
In pursuit of quality and innovation, ihottz will form strategic alliances with local and global companies that supply and cater to the hospitality industry in the region, thus becoming the world's first 'Hospitality Super Hub.'
The 90 acre ihottz Hospitality Training Campus offers a comprehensive and practical solution for the hospitality industry's worldwide and persistent challenge of securing a dedicated, qualified and experienced workforce. The multi-disciplinary and 'user-friendly' environment in the ihottz Hospitality Training Campus, together with its state-of-the-art facilities and modern dormitories, will have the same accredited programmes and technical training as offered by some of the most recognised institutions in North America and Europe.
A prestigious and world renowned Hospitality University will provide four-year accredited undergraduate degree and two-year master degree programmes in hotel and hospitality management. In addition, the Hospitality Technical College will offer accredited programmes and trademarked certificated in specific disciplines of the industry and for the entry level workforce.
The Hospitality Training Campus will also include a world class Culinary School, Entrepreneurial College, Language & Call Centre Training School, Security and Concierge Training Facility, and an 80,000 square foot Spa Aesthetics and Sports Training Building. Furthermore, the campus will benefit from a working travel agency and Travel Industry Training Centre.
'ihottz is a dynamic project that will differentiate the UAE from other centres of hospitality and tourism. Nowhere in the world does exist such a grouping of educational entities totally devoted to hospitality and tourism education,'
The Recruitment and Job Placement Centre at ihottz, managed by one of Europe's leading recruitment companies, will assist graduates in placement within the hospitality industry and will actively recruit candidates for training on behalf of the region's hotels and resorts.
The master plan for the ihottz Education Campus includes multiple building sites to accommodate the construction of first class built-to-suit offices that will act as regional headquarters for global hotel chain operators. This will enable branded training courses for locally and internationally based employees of the hotel groups. Through engaging these tailored programmes, hotels will be able to offer a more diverse and brand specific training that will be uniform in delivery and consistent in quality.
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