INDUSTRY QUOTES
Chris Newman, Chief Operating Officer of Emaar Hospitality Group, said: “Achieving the 100,000-room milestone underlines the remarkable growth of Dubai’s hospitality sector led by the strategic directives and vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. Tourism and hospitality are core contributors to the city’s economy, which gain strength from a robust aviation infrastructure and Dubai’s reputation as a global leisure and business hub. We see significant growth prospects for the industry, and the availability of world-class rooms – from ultra-luxury to midscale – will further add to the appeal of Dubai as a preferred destination for visitors from around the world.
“A key partner in driving the hospitality sector of Dubai, Emaar Hospitality Group will continue to offer innovative, diversified and value-added experiences through our three lifestyle hotel brands – The Address Hotels + Resorts, Vida Hotels and Resorts and Rove Hotels. With 14 hotels and nine serviced residences upcoming in the UAE, we will add to the room offering and distinctive lifestyle choices for our guests. We are committed to supporting the Dubai Tourism Vision 2020 to welcome over 20 million annual visitors by the turn of the decade.”
Stefan Leser, Group Chief Executive Officer of Jumeirah Group commented: “We are exceptionally proud of the contribution Jumeirah Group makes to the development of Dubai as a world-class hospitality and tourism destination. In December, Jumeirah Al Naseem will open with 430 rooms adding to our existing portfolio of luxury properties at Madinat Jumeirah, that includes Jumeirah Al Qasr, Jumeirah Mina A’Salam, Jumeirah Dar Al Masyaf. We current operate 9 properties in Dubai with an inventory of 3208 hotel rooms, suites and villas. Our commercial and development efforts are focused on bringing new visitors to Dubai and delivering experiences aligned with Jumeirah’s brand promise of STAY DIFFERENT.”
Rudi Jagersbacher, president, Middle East, Africa & Turkey for Hilton Worldwide said: “We have been welcoming guests to Dubai for over 15 years, and in this time have seen the emirate’s hospitality industry and our presence here grow from strength to strength. Today we have 10 hotels open in Dubai and expect to double this number by 2020 as we grow and evolve our portfolio to suite increasingly diverse guest needs. We have confidence in Dubai’s longevity as a thriving and exciting place for any hotelier to operate, and we continue to work alongside our investor partners to solidify the emirate’s position as a leading global destination.”