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Alpha Dhabi acquires controlling interest in NCTH

29 January 2025

Abu Dhabi-listed Alpha Dhabi Holding has acquired a controlling 73.73% interest in Abu Dhabi-listed National Corporation for Tourism & Hotels (NCTH) after selling assets from Alpha Dhabi Hospitality Holding (ADHH) and Murban Energy to NCTH in exchange for shares.

In a statement, Alpha Dhabi said the transaction strengthens NCTH’s position and Alpha Dhabi Holding’s investment in the domestic and international luxury hospitality sector.

The deal involves the transfer of four key hotel assets, including two in Abu Dhabi – the St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort and Al-Wathba, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa. The other two hotels are the Cheval Blanc Randheli in the Maldives and the Cheval Blanc Seychelles.

The properties increase NCTH’s portfolio to eight hotels with nearly 1,500 keys.

In May 2023, Alpha Dhabi Holding said it had a 36.4% shareholding in NCTH. The share acquisition was executed via a purchase from an existing shareholder for a total consideration of AED730m ($199m).

According to GlobalData, Abu Dhabi’s tourism sector is set for further expansion in 2025, with projections indicating a continued increase in both visitor numbers and hotel capacity.

The emirate aims to attract 39.3 million visitors by 2030, and this growth strategy will likely see the tourism sector’s contribution to GDP increase from nearly $13.3bn in 2023 to $24.5bn by 2030.

Domestic tourism expenditure is expected to reach approximately $8.7bn by 2025, with the hotel sector anticipated to grow to 863 properties, with about 168,700 rooms.

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Colin Foreman

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