The Holding Company for Tourism and Hotels (HOTAC), a public sector company, plans to build a new ceremony hall next to Helnan Palestine Hotel in Alexandria in early 2017, according to HOTAC chairperson Mervat Hatabah.
The design for the building has been completed; it has been designed to host conferences, public events, and social celebrations, such as weddings and festivals.
Hatabah added that Al-Montazah Company for Tourism and Investment, which manages Montazah Palace, has approved the design of the ceremony hall. The estimated cost of establishing the hall is now being discussed.
The hall will consist of a ground floor with a capacity for 1,000 individuals. It will be built in the same architectural style of the hotel and the neighbouring palace.
Samir Hassan, managing director of Egyptian General Company for Tourism and Hotels (EGOTH), said the authority is now preparing the tender specifications of the project which will be proposed to construction companies.
He added that the estimated cost of establishing the hall is yet to be determined, and is expected to be included in the budget plan for the next fiscal year.
According to Hassan, the hotel management recognised the necessity of establishing a ceremony hall and provide all the required services. As of now, the hotel set up a marquee outside to host special events.
Hanan Wefky, general manager of Helnan Palestine Hotel, said that the hotel’s occupancy exceeded 80% during the current period, despite the end of summer and the beginning of the new academic year.
Wefky added that the high occupancy rate in the hotel was largely due to the nature of Alexandria, as many foreign projects and companies are operating in the city, so there are many nationalities residing in the city for work. The hotel guests include Arabs, Britons, Americans, and tour groups from east Asian countries.
Helnan Palestine Hotel includes 218 hotel rooms overlooking a private beach and a garden.
