Two new Kempinski hotels will come up in the UAE by 2004 underlining the Germany-based hotel group's strong commitment to the tourism industry in the country.

The two properties include a resort on the Palm Island project in Dubai and the Conference Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi which will host the 2004 GCC summit.

"With the unique initiatives of the government and the pace with which the most amazing projects are realised, there is no question that the future of tourism in the UAE is bright," says Elke Mohr, director of sales at the Ajman Kempinski Hotel and Resort.

However Mohr was optimistic but realist in her assessment of the group's and industry's future in the year ahead. "In terms of individual travellers, both leisure and corporate, the worst is over and we have already seen a significant pick up this year," she said.

"The group and incentive market will take more time to recover due to the longer lead time and the fact that incentive houses and agencies are responsible for the groups and are still cautious to book in the region."

She said the hotel had a strong year in 2001 until the terror attacks in the US on September 11 which sparked a global downturn in the travel industry. Until then, however, Ajman Kempinski recorded a growth of 8 per cent in occupancy over the previous year.

The hotel is running a special promotion for the GCC market for the Ajman Fantazia festival, the biggest ever shopping and entertainment event in the emirate, which continues until February 28.

"For the whole period of the festival, Ajman Kempinski Hotel & Resort extends a unique offer for GCC nationals and residents to stay for a minimum of five nights at the special rate of Dh212 ($58) per person per night in a sharing room," Mohr said.

"The offer also includes unlimited access to the private beach, pool and spa, children playground, complimentary Ayurvedic massage and free shuttle bus to Dubai five times a day.

"In addition to the 5-star luxury, our guests can enjoy the numerous activities at the 100,000 sq m festival area of Ajman Fantazia with daily entertainment, raffle draws and fireworks. This offer is also applicable for the period of Eid."

Mohr said the hotel would also be offering special deals during next month's Dubai Shopping Festival which she said was "sure to be a great event like in previous years and there will be a lot of visitors, especially from the CIS and GCC".

The Ajman Kempinski Hotel & Resort on the shores of Ajman, offers over 500- metres-long private white sandy beach.

Each one of its 187 rooms, suites and cabanas has its own private balcony overlooking the sea or the pool. The hotel offers a wide range of international, Chinese, Indian and Italian cuisine in specialty restaurants and the Cosmic Bowling Centre is great for family fun.

The Laguna Beach Club and Recreation Centre provides a comprehensive selection of watersports and fitness activities as well as a pool and children's playground.

The Dive Centre at the Ajman Kempinski also has a PADI approved five star gold palm diving school.

The Wellness and Beauty Centre offers a wide choice of regeneration treatments, while the newly opened Ayurvedic Centre provides a healing touch with massages and treatments from Kerala in India.