What are the technical specifications of the Djibouti Palace Kempinksi?
Bugra Berberoglu: The building was constructed by the renowned Japanese company Taisei which took on the project in October 2005 and launched work in January 2006. It is sited on reclaimed land of over 49,000 sqm and employed 1600 workers from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Philippines, Egypt, Turkey and many other countries during the record completion of the first phase.
The structure recalls the traditional architecture of the area set within the natural elements of the sea, the beautiful fuchsia bougainvillea gardens enhanced by 300 palm trees.
This superb property of 177 rooms, with a substantial ballroom, is located at a prime beachfront between the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. The hotel is designed to reflect the Arabesque and African influence of the region, with its flawless combination of rich earthy clay and golden tones in harmony with the “majilis” seats in detailed wood carving and oriental antiques. African tapestry meticulously made with beads and fantastic embroidered metallic torches hangs on the cream coloured walls.
Ten varieties of marble were brought from India, Italy, Malaysia and China, to contrast well with the African setting.
Djibouti Palace Kempinski features a plethora of entertainment amenities, including mountain bikes, jet skis and outdoor swimming pool, club, restaurants and bars.

Tell us about the interior décor and attractions.
The Djibouti Palace Kempinski, managed by Europe’s oldest luxury hotel group Kempinski Hotel, has been designed using a unique fusion of Swahili and Arabic themes.
It is the largest hotel conference and events centre in the country, representing a rare and private sanctuary of sleek, elegant accommodations. The interior design has been inspired by the African Elegance and beauty combined with Arabesque influence.
The hotel has a state-of-the-art conference centre, a grand ballroom for up to 1,100 guests, meeting rooms and presentation facilities with the latest communications infrastructure.
The Palace boasts an innovative dining option with Lake Assal, an all-day dinning venue offering European, Asian, African and Middle East favourites and featuring lavish buffets with live cooking stations for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
A rendezvous not to miss in the hotel is the Grand Barra, which serves a fine selection of light meals and drinks accompanied by live entertainment throughout the day. For a more laid back and relaxed atmosphere, the Café Arta is the place to be with its warm and breathtaking interior design, offering shisha and cocktails.

Briefly tell us about Kempinski hotels around the world.
Kempinski is a collection of individuals. Each hotel or resort is a distinctive property, with its own character and charm, celebrating the cultural traditions of its location. With hotels overlooking the Bosphorus in Istanbul, the historic Liberty’s department store in London, Red Square in Moscow, the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin and the Great Wall in China, each Kempinski property reveals the character of the country in which its guests are staying, while they enjoy the impeccable and unique services for which Kempinski is renowned.
While the Group was founded in Germany, its portfolio of over 55 hotels is now spread throughout Europe, Middle East, Africa, South America and Asia with properties in locations such as Abu Dhabi, Beijing, Berlin, Budapest, Buenos Aires, Istanbul, London and St Moritz. Rich in tradition, it comprises a fine collection of sumptuous hotels and resorts, from the truly historic to the breathtakingly avant-garde. A further seven hotels are currently scheduled to open during 2007 and by 2010, the group expects to reach its target of 100 hotels under operation worldwide.

What is the total cost of the Djibouti Palace Kempinski and how was it financed?
Nakheel Hotel’s and Resorts financed the entire project of Djibouti Palace Kempinski including the completion of phase 2 with 220 additional rooms, restaurants, sports and fitness facilities, marina, etc. Nakheel Hotels & Resorts is a division of Nakheel, Dubai’s premier development company, which is also owned by Dubai World. Under their portfolio are prestigious projects like the 1.4km sub-sea tunnel project on The Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Waterfront – the world’s largest waterfront development, Marina Residences on The Palm Jumeirah and many others.

How many staff do you have in the Djibouti Palace Kempinski? The staff is international. Is that a Kempinski tradition?
Staff from the Kempinski Hotel at Mall of Emirates, Emirates Palace Abu Dhabi and Kempinski Hotel Ajman were selected to be part of a “five-star task force”, to help prepare for the opening of Djibouti’s first ever five-star hotel.
The five-star task force worked closely with the 150 locally-recruited staff for the 11th COMESA Summit held in Djibouti from November 15 to 16 2006. The task force included chefs and other kitchen staff, dining staff and guest relations managers, from locations including the UAE, Turkey, Shanghai and Berlin.
We have been able to meet that challenge with Nakheel Hotels & Resorts and our partner, the Taisei Corporation of Japan. We are proud to have created such a fantastic venue for COMESA a prestigious international event.
Currently the Djibouti Palace Kempinski has 250 employees from across the world. Most of the staff is locally recruited. We also have employees from Africa like Ethiopia, Kenya, Mali, Morocco, Egypt, and also from UAE, Yemen, Lebanon, Turkey, Greece, Italy, France, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, China, Indonesia, and Australia.

What makes Kempinski hotels special?
Founded in Germany 110 years ago, Kempinski Hotels has long reflected the finest traditions of European hospitality. Today, as ever, Kempinski is synonymous with distinctive luxury. Located in many of the world's most well known cities and resorts, the Kempinski collection includes hotels in the grand manner, pace-setting modern establishments and older hotels of individual charm. All blend gracefully into their surroundings and offer luxurious accommodation, superb cuisine and unrivalled facilities - complemented by impeccable service.
For leisure and business guests alike, the name Kempinski has long been synonymous with style, nobility and efficiency. Put simply, they are the first choice for the discerning individual.
In addition to operating many of the finest city hotels in the world Kempinski is a name that can now be found in many exciting resort locations, each combining local flair and ambience with the international standards of service and luxury that Kempinski guests have come to expect.

Why was Djibouti chosen to host the Horn’s first Kempinski?
Actually East Africa’s first Kempinski is Kempinski Kilimanjaro, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The Djibouti Palace Kempinski will be the “landmark” of the Horn of Africa Business Bay and Dubai’s week-end escape. Djibouti is a place unlike any other, located at the sought-after beachfront between the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean; Djibouti’s marine life is among the world’s most beautiful underwater depths.
Current market conditions clearly demonstrate rapid growth in capital infrastructure and levels of leisure and tourism in the African Market, which will generate higher in the longer term.
At the same time as Kempinski continues with its strategy to be involved with prestigious projects in Africa, its portfolio has been extended by the Djibouti Palace Kempinski, which is unique in design and architecture.
The property adds significant value to the overall advancement of the country and Kempinski has committed to promote this unique project locally, regionally and internationally.
Djibouti Palace is Kempinski’s fifth hotel in Africa.

Kempinski being the first luxury hotel in Djibouti, what would you say were the major challenges?
Inexperienced staff, obtaining supplies for our food and beverage outlets and generally all other inputs that we could not find locally in order to operate a five star luxury hotel.

What would you say are the main attractions for visitors to Djibouti?
Kempinski has an impressive entertainment centre with water sports, beach volley ball, ping-pong, baby football and various board games. Options for relaxation and recreation are further enhanced with the temperature-controlled Infinity pool.
One of Africa’s best kept secrets, the Republic of Djibouti offers visitors a wealth of stunning natural sites to explore. Safaris are the opportunity to see Lake Assal’s stunning volcanic formations or the flamingos on Lake Abbe. Virgin beaches are the starting point for some exceptional scuba diving or snorkeling in the Devil’s Cauldron in the Gulf of Tadjoura, where whale sharks, manta rays, dolphins and grey reef sharks can be spotted between October and January, or the Seven Brothers Islands, popular from January to May.

Who are your target customers? And how do plan to draw them to Djibouti?
They are predominately business people, staying for 2-3 nights, who have visited the destination more than once and usually travel alone or with a business partner. The G.o.B (Geographical origin of Business) comprises mainly of Ethiopia, Kenya, Egypt, Yemen and Dubai.
Our research revealed the increased importance of the corporate sector as well as MICE and leisure. Furthermore Djibouti might attract a considerable number of meetings, conferences and exhibitions, generating high revenues for the city and country.
In order to attract business, we promote through our web site special weekend packages and promotional rates.
Airlines are already interested in the Djibouti tourism product but it is still a niche market. However we hope to have direct flights with Emirates, Lufthansa and Aeroflot in the near future.

Do you have any plans to enter the expanding Ethiopian market?
Certainly; Ethiopian airlines already advertises our weekend special packages. We are also regularly visiting companies and agencies in Addis Ababa to develop links with the Ethiopian market and promote the Djibouti Palace Kempinski.

What level of occupancy do you achieve so far? Some would feel that your rates are high. Wouldn’t this make it difficult to attract large number of patrons?
Our rates are at a par with international and national standards. We also have special corporate and military rates.
The hotel provides our discerning travelers with an exclusive hide-away, enhanced with high standards of personal service and local traditions of hospitality, Djibouti Palace Kempinski will be the latest gem…one of the few most sought after destinations in Eastern Africa.
When all building phases are completed, the Djibouti Palace Kempinski will have 400 rooms and will feature luxury resort facilities including a beach club and retail arcade, fitness and entertainment centers, a state-of-the-art spa and a safari sports bar. There will be four a la carte restaurants, including a pan-African restaurant, the first of its kind in the world.
Serviced apartments and villas, a casino and a marina will set new benchmarks in the concept of luxurious living. After completion, it will stand out high among the increasingly sophisticated landmarks in this region.

Do you envision any obstacles along the way?
None! We are confident that Djibouti is foreseen as being the future St. Tropez of the Horn of Africa and the Kempinski development has been designed to cater for this up-market clientele.

Mr. Bugra Berberoglu - Manager of the Djibouti Palace Kemipinski

Bugra Berberoglu born in 1972 in Antalya (Turkey) was raised in a family of hoteliers and expressed at an early age his interest to the industry.
After completing high school in his home town, Bugra joined the renowned Lausanne Hotel Management School and from were he graduated. Soon after that he moved to UK where he completed his Masters Degree in Business Administration and continued to earn many certificates of achievement in many fields related with the hotel industry.
Blessed with good communication skills, as he is fluent in Spanish, French, English, Turkish, hospitality and common sense is the key to his accomplishment.
From 1992 to 2002, Bugra excelled as a trainee and active management member in many restaurants and hotels around the world.
Following a bright career at Intercontinental Resort and Villas at Cayo Largo in Puerto Rico as Executive Assistant Manager, Bugra joined Kempinski Hotel N’Djamena as part of the Pre-opening Team and General Manager. Successful opening and great results enabled him to be awarded Entrepreneur of the Year 2005 by Kempinski Hotels S.A.
Year 2006 was on top of a historical success for Kempinski, Djibouti and Africa: opening a 5 star hotel in a 7-month construction time period. For Bugra, it was a second challenge that he overcame thanks to a strong management skills and continuous team work.