Centara Hotels and Resorts, the Thai operator, signed a joined venture agreement with UAE’s Nakheel to create a 550-room, Dh500 million ($136 million) beachfront resort with waterpark at Deira Islands in Dubai.
The JV was signed in Bangkok by Nakheel Chairman Ali Rashid Lootah and Centara Chairman Suthikiati Chirathivat, the two companies will deliver an upscale resort on a prime stretch of beach on Deira Islands – Nakheel’s new, 15.3 sq km, world-class tourism, leisure, retail and entertainment hub that will contribute significantly to the Government of Dubai’s tourism vision of 20 million tourists by 2020.
EXTENDED PARTNERSHIP
The partners are already working on their first project, an 800-room, $245 million all-inclusive resort and waterpark with Spain’s RIU Hotels & Resorts on Deira Islands. The resort will cover an area of 295,900 sq ft. and feature a waterpark, dining facilities, business centre, kids’ club, spa and fitness centre. The resort is anticipated to have soft opening in 2019 and grand opening in 2020.
Suthikiati Chirathivat, chairman of Centara Hotels and Resorts, remarked: 'We are thrilled and proud to be partnering with Nakheel on this joint venture hotel investment that will see Centara Hotels & Resorts operate and manage a distinguished new resort in an exciting new destination.
This partnership is a ground-breaking move for Centara as we continue to extend our upscale resort portfolio internationally. This is Centara’s first hotel in Dubai, and the UAE, and represents our arrival in a key gateway city in the Middle East. As we look forward to an even stronger and meaningful business partnership with Nakheel in the near future, we believe that Centara Deira Island Beach Resort Dubai will offer unforgettable holiday experiences to guests through our unique Centara hospitality and service.'
ACCOLADES GALORE
The group’s island properties had added new reasons to celebrate. Centara Hotels and Resorts pocketed two regional awards from Virgin Holidays including resorts in Hua Hin and Maldives. These are, 'Gold Winner – Best Hotel Far East and Africa 2016' for Centara Grand Beach Resort and Villas Hua Hin, and the 'Gold Winner – Best Hotel Indian Ocean 2016' for Centara Ras Fushi Resort and Spa Maldives.
The recognition from Virgin Holidays gives the voting public an opportunity to express their opinion and reward travel companies for their aptitude and performance in delivering outstanding performance.