Children aged 4 to 16 years get first taste of the hospitality industry at the only hotel establishment in KidZania®

March 2014 - Rotana, the leading hotel management company in the region with a portfolio of 85 properties across the Middle East, Africa, South Asia and Eastern Europe, announced today the inauguration of its new hotel in KidZania®, managed by Emaar Retail at The Dubai Mall. Rotana is the first and the only hospitality brand to open at the award-winning interactive edutainment centre in Dubai.

"Rotana has always invested in developing fresh talent and the new hotel in KidZania® will offer a fun platform for kids interested in the hospitality industry. It will give them an opportunity to get a first taste of what it is like to work at a hotel and discover the various roles involved,” said Omer Kaddouri, President & CEO of Rotana.

The hotel’s design mimics the layout of a real Rotana property with a dedicated space for a lobby, Zen the spa and restaurant lookalikes. Children aged 4 to 16 years will have the opportunity to participate in three 20-minute role-playing activities, including working as a Receptionist – Room Reservation, Restaurant Officer and as Housekeeping colleagues. Each activity is designed to introduce budding hospitality professionals to the working atmosphere at Rotana and the skills they need to flourish in the hospitality industry.



“KidZania® provides a unique educational environment for children enabling them to gain first-hand experience of various real world professions and occupations in a fun way. The new Rotana hotel at KidZania® will be the first establishment dedicated to the fast-growing hospitality sector, and will be a superb new addition for kids keen on acquainting themselves with the diverse professional choices within the industry,” said Maitha Al Dossari, Chief Executive Officer, Emaar Retail LLC.

KidZania® provides children and their parents a safe, unique, and very realistic educational environment that allows kids to do what comes naturally to them: role-playing by mimicking traditionally adult activities.

"This is a one-of-its kind project and we are extremely excited about this new opening. This comes as part of our Corporate Social Responsibility and our focus on children and their education as a way to enhance their future lives for a better world,” concluded Kaddouri.

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