(5 May 2009)
UAE hospitality group Abu Dhabi National Hotels is moving ahead with its aggressive expansion strategy, adding more than 750 hotel rooms to its portfolio by the end of 2009. The group, which owns, manages and operates hotels and resorts across the country and has interests in tourism, transportation and catering, is confident in the UAE’s continued business opportunity.
The expansion will see three new ADNH properties open in the second half of 2009: The 450-room Jumeirah Beach Sofitel Hotel, the 64-suite luxurious Al Diar Hotel Apartments - Al Barsha, and the 78-suite Siji Hotel Apartments residence in Fujairah.
ADNH is also developing three signature five-star hotels in Abu Dhabi: the JW Marriott Resort and Spa, the 314-room Park Hyatt Hotel and Villas, and the Capital Centre Hotel. The three luxury hotels are located in some of the capital’s most strategic business and tourist areas, including the ‘Between the Bridges’ district across from the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, in Saadiyat Island and adjacent to the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.
The company will develop two new YOTEL hotels in Abu Dhabi, introducing the revolutionary European hotel brand to the region. YOTEL hotels feature premium cabins in flexible configurations at affordable prices and unusual locations. YOTELs around the world, for example, are often located within secure airport transit lounges.
HE Saif Mohamed Al Hajeri, Chairman of ADNH, said, “Abu Dhabi and the UAE continue to offer unrivalled opportunities for the world and the region, and as the trendsetter in the region’s hospitality sector, ADNH is committed to acting quickly and decisively to expand its portfolio and driving the market forward at all times.”
His Excellency praised the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority’s efforts to promote the capital internationally as the region’s hub for business and tourism. The ADTA strategy, he explained, has helped double the number of inbound visitors to the capital in the last few years, translating into gains for the industry and the larger economy.
“ADNH has experienced a remarkable growth of business in the last quarter of 2008 and first four months of 2009, counter to the global downward trend. This is a strong indicator of the emirate’s resilience and the efforts of the ADTA,” he added.
The Abu Dhabi National Hotels group is participating at the Arabian Travel Market, which will be held from May 5-8 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. ADNH will showcase its four subsidiaries – the Al Diar Hotel Group, Al Ghazal Tours, Al Ghazal Transport and ADNH/Compass – and its own international hotels under the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority umbrella.