Swissôtel, part of AccorHotels, world-leading travel & lifestyle group, today announced that it has entered into a franchise agreement with Bahrain’s International Investment Bank (IIB) and Al Shiddi International for the development of a new 218-room urban resort in Sarajevo, Bosnia.

Situated next to Bosnian Parliament, within the expansive mixed-use Sarajevo City Center project, consisting of a shopping mall and office tower with 30,000 daily visitors, Swissôtel Sarajevo will enjoy a commanding downtown commercial and residential location, as a new landmark for Sarajevo, close to top attractions and Sarajevo International Airport.

The project, scheduled to open in early 2018, is being developed and operated by Al Shiddi International from Riyadh, one of the prominent investment companies in Saudi Arabia with an extensive portfolio of investments locally and globally featuring financial services, real estate, agriculture, manufacturing, industrial and retail.

As a co-investor, IIB is proud of its association with Al Shiddi Group and Accor Hotels, and to see the development this very positive project, said a statement.  

“This is an exciting new addition for the Swissôtel brand and a perfect complement to our company’s growing portfolio of city and resort destinations throughout Europe,” said Duncan O’Rourke, COO Luxury Brands Europe for AccorHotels. “In keeping with Swissôtel’s brand promise of promoting quality in life, the resort will offer a very inspiring atmosphere which will be bolstered with local attributes authentic to the locale. To be pairing an unbelievable urban resort product with the growing organic paradise that Bosnian is becoming known for is nothing short of magic.”  

“We are extremely pleased to be partnering with AccorHotels on this new Swissôtel resort project and look forward to working with them to create a truly world-class property,” said Sulaiman Al Shiddi for Al Shiddi International. “Bosnia is a thriving holiday discovery destination popular with travelers from all over the world who are looking for the ultimate mix of relaxation, adventure and cultural flair; Swissôtel will deliver against this and more. Furthermore, National Geographic has published special addition Western Balkan: Land of Discovery with Bosnia prominently featured as its centerpiece”.

“This agreement is a significant milestone in Sarajevo and will further strengthen the prospects for both business travel and the emerging tourism sector in Bosnia,” added Subhi Benkhadra, CEO of International Investment Bank.  
 
Interiors are designed by Scott Brownrigg Associates, a leading UK hotel design firm with extensive experience in high end hotel development across Europe, the hotel will offer scenic all-glass views of the downtown and mountains with stunning guestrooms featuring spacious bedrooms. Completing the guest experience will be a private executive club, three exquisite dining outlets, the brand’s signature Pürovel Spa & Sport, and 500 sq m (5,300 sq ft) of indoor meeting space with function areas.

Surrounded by EU member Croatia, Bosnia is a country with a population of four million. It is one of the leading European new discovery vacation hotspots featuring an annual 20 per cent increase in tourist arrivals for the past five years. It has recently added several direct flights to the Gulf Cooperation Council countries as it hosts the world-famous Sarajevo Film Festival.  

Bosnia is renowned for its beautiful natural parks, pristine forest, Ottoman architectural treasures, extended waterfalls and rapids, an Unesco Mostar Bridge site, and distinctive coffee culture. – TradeArabia News Service