GAZA CITY: On the shore of Gaza City a large building lays as a casualty of the years of conflict. Bullet holes and tanks rounds are visible on the building’s exterior but it’s the interior that makes this building unique.
The Gaza City Movenpick Hotel is a completed 250-room, five-star hotel with spa and swimming pool.
Senior Mechanical Engineer Majdi Hayek says this $40-million resort for the Palestine Real Estate Investment Company (PRICO) started construction in 2004 after the second Intifada but never saw its opening as political tensions grew.
“We wanted to open in the summer of 2006, says Hayek. “But we had to delay it because of Hamas and Fatah.
Tensions started when Hamas won the parliamentary elections in 2006, which escalated to their violent routing of Fatah from the strip in 2007. An international blockade was imposed as a result, which presented Hayek a new set of problems obtaining materials.
“We prefer products from Israel because they are of a higher quality, says Hayek. “Now we are getting them from Egypt through the tunnels, which is costing us more.
Bringing building materials through the tunnels came to a halt when Israel attacked Gaza last year. Maintenance also ceased, as it grew too dangerous for the workers. But once the conflict ended, Hayek returned to work only to be confronted with another dilemma.
“Many parts of the hotel were damaged in the war, says Hayek. “We have repaired parts of it but we need more materials.
With the tunnels bringing fresh supplies and work resuming; keeping the hotel maintained is costing them $100,000 a month. This money covers the salaries of 50 employees, Egyptian materials and the smugglers bringing the goods over. Hayek says all this is needed to keep the facility from falling into disrepair.
“I feel shy asking for more money for maintenance, says Hayek. “Because the investors are saying we aren’t getting any income from your hotel.
Without any guests offsetting Hayek’s expenses, the hotel s upkeep rests solely on the investors.
“You don’t have any tourism here. If you have a war, definitely you don’t have any tourists. A project like this is totally dependent on tourists, says PRICO and hotel spokesman Mohamad Rajab. “They (investors) are paying our salaries out of their own pockets, which has become so difficult for them.
Rajab, who has also been with this project since the beginning, says the hotel was part of Yassir Arafat’s bigger dream of turning Gaza into a Singapore.
“We took this area here to make a nice and beautiful hotel, says Rajab. “We will make Gaza a Singapore.
Both Rajab and Hayek share in this dream and take the opening of this hotel personally.
“This project is like my baby, says Hayek, “I call this hotel a rose in the garbage.
But both say the opening of this hotel is at the mercy of political forces.
“First of all we need the hand of peace between Fatah and Hamas, says Rajab. “And with Israel we have to find a solution.
And if that day comes, Hayek says it wouldn’t take long to get the hotel running at full capacity.
“It will take us two to three months and between $5 to 7 million to make repairs, says Hayek. “Once that is done we are open for business.
Rajab looks forward to that day and is welcoming everyone, even their Israeli neighbors.
“I have a dream that people will come over and enjoy our hotel, says Rajab. “Of course the Israelis are welcome too.
After years of construction and waiting, Hayek looks forward to seeing the facilities he built finally used.
“When I see the people sleeping in my room or swimming in my pool, I will feel so happy, says Hayek. “This is a dream. I hope it comes true.
Rajab, a Palestinian who immigrated to the United States, compared Gaza to a tropical destination. To potential tourists, he has this message: “I have a dream that people will come over and enjoy our hotel, says Rajab. “It’s like a little Honolulu, a little Hawaii. Come over mammy, come over daddy.
