Hawaii-based Outrigger Enterprises Group, a leading international hospitality company, has opened a sales and marketing representation office in Dubai covering the Middle East region.

Middle East experts, Dubai-based Gulf Reps, will be responsible for supporting the development of a Middle East strategy to drive sales for Outrigger Resorts’ nine premium beachfront properties across the Indian Ocean, Asia and the Pacific.

Mark Simmons, Outrigger Resorts vice president sales and marketing for Asia Pacific and Indian Ocean, stated that strong economic growth rates, an affluent indigenous population and a large expatriate community were key factors in Outrigger’s move into the region.

“Gulf Reps have been high level regional hospitality representation experts since 2006 in the Middle East’s key source markets,” said Simmons. “They will offer key strategic and tactical input to help us build business and promote the Outrigger brand in a very dynamic region.”

Outrigger Resorts will work closely with Gulf Reps managing director, Sammy Musa, and senior account manager, Francesca Monfero.

Simmons said that the Middle East was a key market for Outrigger, which opened the Outrigger Mauritius Beach Resort in 2014 and the award-winning Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort in 2015. Both destinations have direct access from major Gulf Air Carriers, as does Phuket, Thailand, where Outrigger has two properties. “Also in Thailand, our third property, Outrigger Koh Samui Beach Resort, which appeals to couples, will also be a great experience for Middle East-based visitors,” said Simmons. – TradeArabia News Service