Hilton Worldwide has signed a management agreement with the Asala For Investment and Touristic Development Company to open its first DoubleTree by Hilton in Egypt.

“The incredible tradition of hospitality, culture and history in Egypt has long made it a destination of choice for global travelers,” said Rudi Jagersbacher, president, Middle East and Africa for Hilton Worldwide. “Our Hilton Worldwide portfolio stretches across the country, and we are delighted to be announcing our first DoubleTree by Hilton in Ain Al Sokhna, which benefits from its close proximity to the major infrastructure investments in Suez as well as for its appeal as a leisure destination.”

Expected to open in 2017, the hotel will offer 197 guestrooms and feature facilities including a fitness center and swimming pools. The newly constructed hotel is part of a mixed-use residential and leisure development and will offer an all-day dining restaurant, as well as five further food and beverage outlets.

Nasser Aqeel Abdullah Al-Tayyar, managing director of the Asal for Investment Tourism and Development Company, said, “We are excited to bring DoubleTree by Hilton to Ain al Sokhna as the first internationally branded hotel in the city. Our partnership with Hilton Worldwide will help us ensure that the new hotel will meet the highest standards in hospitality; we look forward to beginning a long lasting and fruitful relationship.”

Ain Al Sokhna is approximately 55 kilometers south of Suez and 190 kilometers east of Cairo, making it a popular weekend destination for tourists and residents alike. It is also ideally situated for meetings, conferences and events, with the hotel featuring a multi-functional meeting room of 200 square meters in size, as well as Boardroom and Business Center.

John Greenleaf, global head, DoubleTree by Hilton, said, “With increasing numbers of travelers arriving in Egypt, we look forward to expanding our global DoubleTree offering in the destination of Ain Al Sokhna – providing features and amenities that define our brand such as our friendly service that starts with the signature warm chocolate chip cookie welcome presented to every guest upon check-in.”

Hilton Worldwide currently has 18 hotels operating across Egypt, with a further five hotels under development, including Hilton Alexandria Kings Ranch which is due to open in May 2015. The company recently announced the signing of agreements to open a third DoubleTree by Hilton in Dubai as well as a Hilton Garden Inn for Windhoek, Namibia.