EMAAR Hospitality Group is upbeat about tourism in Dubai as the company announced its newest development, The Address The BLVD, a 340 m high complex that will comprise a 200-room five star hotel and 542 serviced apartments in Downtown Dubai.
The company recently appointed Josef Kufer as its new chief operating officer to oversee the overall operations of Emaar Hospitality including its expanding five-star premium brand, The Address Hotels and Resorts.
Speaking to TTN, Kufer said, “Dubai’s key sectors, hospitality and tourism, have shown positive signs of growth, with the UAE aiming to achieve over a 10.4 per cent growth by 2016. The city has witnessed unprecedented growth in the tourism sector with Dubai International Airport welcoming over five million visitors in July 2012 alone.”
“In line with the city’s burgeoning tourism and hospitality landscape, The Address Hotels and Resorts experienced robust performance in the first six months of the year,” he added.
The Address Hotels and Resorts, which comprises of five proper ties in Dubai - The Address Downtown Dubai, The Address Dubai Mall, The Address Dubai Marina, The Address Montgomerie Dubai and The Palace - The Old Town, recorded an average occupancy of 89 per cent during the first six months of 2012, comprising both corporate and leisure travellers.
Kufer further added, “With this surge in visitor numbers, the hospitality industry is witnessing demand in the number of hotel rooms, the supply of which is being met through our new project launch, the The Address The BLVD, our newest hotel and serviced residences in Dubai.
“Although each property in Downtown Dubai envisages the philosophy of The Address Hotels and Resorts, their character and features are distinct and unparalleled, catering to all spectrums of travellers, from business to leisure.”
“Looking ahead, we are committed on developing and implementing strategies to strengthen the The Address Hotels and Resorts portfolio in new markets,” said Kufer.
More recently the group announced its second property in Africa with a management contract for a resort near the world-famous Masai Mara in Kenya.
“The Address Maasai Mara actually follows our second successful management contract in Africa, the first being The Address Marassi Golf Resort & Spa in Egypt. The venture is in line with our strategy to explore growth opportunities in key emerging markets globally,” said Kufer.
The company is keen to extend its brand with aims to sign projects in India, China, South Asia among other markets.
The Emaar Hospitality Group today owns and manages a diversified portfolio of hospitality assets including its flagship, five-star premium brand The Address Hotels and Resorts, in addition to serviced residences, golf retreats, a polo and equestrian club, lifestyle dining outlets and the Dubai Marina Yacht Club.
“Embodying our key principles of unparalleled service, superior locations, and assuring tangible guest benefits, The Address Hotels and Resorts has firmly established its credentials in the global hospitality industry, as a five-star premium hotel brand,” said Kufer.
“In five short years, the brand has grown substantially with several owned hotels and hotel management contracts. Each hotel has unmatched culinary and leisure options, which have scooped numerous accolades in the international award circuit, serving as a testament to The Address’ mandate.”
Looking ahead, Kufer is very optimistic about growth in the region. “All of the traditional economic indicators of Dubai – tourism, hospitality, real estate, retail, and aviation indicate signs of positive growth. As the city continues to prepare to usher in a new era in tourism and hospitality, we are confident that 2013 will witness robust performance for our sector and our organisation,” he said.
Emaar’s Lifestyle dining division has also made inroads in the dining scene in the UAE with independent dining with At.mosphere, Burj Khalifa, The Palace Café, and Madeleine Café and Boulangerie, bringing its culinary expertise to the forefront. In addition to focusing on these outlets, Emaar Hospitality Group will continue to explore new development opportunities.