Gulf Hotels Group approves 20% cash dividends for 2021

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Gulf Hotels Group’s 52nd Annual General Meeting was held yesterday at Al Dana Hall of the Gulf Hotel Bahrain, under the supervision of Bahrain Clear representatives. The meeting was presided over by the Chairman, Mr Farouk Yousuf Almoayyed and attended by the Board Members and representatives from the Ministry of Commerce, Central Bank of Bahrain, Bahrain Bourse, and Auditors KPMG. The Chairman announced that for the year ended 31st December 2021, GHG achieved a total Gross Operating Revenue of BD22.918 million compared to BD19.735 million in 2020, with an increase of BD3.182 million or 16.13%. The Group generated a Net Profit of BD3.396 million in comparison to a Net Loss of BD8.128 Million in 2020, recording an increase of BD11.524 million.

Factors contributing to an increase in Net Profit against 2020 included an increase in Management fees of BD121,884, an increase in profit from associates of BD315,239, a property impairment reversal of BD1,731,989 in 2021 compared to an impairment of BD5,064,680 last year, a decrease in doubtful debts provision from BD 608,895 in 2020 to BD37,135 in 2021 and a decrease in depreciation vs. last year of BD1,063,779. These were offset by a decrease in Government grants by BD557,733, a decrease in interest income of BD 56,455 and a decrease in Group dividend income by BD130,733 vs 2020.

The company’s EBIDTA excluding any impairment amounted to BD7.924 million compared to BD4.260 million for the same period in last year, with an increase of BD3.664 or 86%. Mr Almoayyed expressed gratitude for the Government’s proactive handling of the Covid-19 pandemic crisis and the efficient vaccination process that is enabling life to return to normal. He stated: “Despite the impact on the Company’s financial performance, the Group’s priority remains to support the government’s fight against Covid-19 and the health and safety of our customers and staff.” He further reiterated that “during this year of recovery, the company’s result has positively progressed, the tremendous efforts of the Board and the Group’s management in reducing costs have boosted the outcome of the increase in revenue, reflected at both EBIDTA and Net Profits”.

He further briefed the meeting that Gulf Hotels Group will shortly sign its first management contract in Tbilisi, Georgia to manage a 218-bedroom, 4-star hotel which also features a water park and wellness centre. Adding to comments of the Chairman, CEO Garfield Jones stated: “Whilst the management’s focus in 2021 has been on maintaining a tight control on costs and guiding the business through the pandemic, we have also seen the opening of the new Bahrain Airport Hotel, an 84-unit property within the Bahrain International Airport. Towards the end of the year, the focus shifted on returning our properties to pre-pandemic operations, with the reopening of outlets.”