The Egyptian General Company for Tourism and Hotels has announced the appointment of The Rocco Forte Collection to manage The Shepheard Hotel in Cairo as a five-star hotel within their brand after assisting in the full renovation of the hotel. The Rocco Forte Collection team will assume temporary management of the 279-room hotel as of November 2009, running it outside of its main brand, after which it will close for total refurbishment and renovations. The hotel will be re-opened in early 2012.