Sir Rocco Forte is in negotiations over a number of projects in the Middle East as he seeks to expand his luxury chain outside Europe.

The Rocco Forte Collection, which last week confirmed it is looking for sites in New York, is in talks about taking on management contracts for two hotels in Abu Dhabi and Riyadh and is bidding on a project in Dubai.

Richard Power, Rocco Forte’s brand managing director, said that the company, which has 11 hotels and three in development, was also looking at possible opportunities in Oman

Power said that, despite the strong competition for management contracts, relative newcomers such as Rocco Forte Collection had an advantage over the larger hotel chains.

“Middle Eastern countries are looking for new brands as most of the established guys are already there,” he told The Times

Forte, the chairman and chief executive, is set to announce the promotion of Moreno Occhiolini to chief operating officer, the newspaper said. He has been with the company since 1998, running its hotels in continental Europe.


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By Daniel Thomas

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