HH SHEIKH MOHAMMED ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR MAJOR HOTEL DEVELOPMENTS IN DUBAI GERMANY’S TUI GROUP TO ENTER DUBAI’S BOOMING HOTEL INDUSTRY

Dubai’s booming hotel industry will receive a further boost with the entry of two top class German hotels including a 300-room Robinson Select, a 300-room Iberotel and a possible third hotel.

His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, UAE Minister of Defence and Chairman of the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) announced the developments from the Dubai stand at Geneva yesterday (30th May) where he is leading a 52-strong travel trade delegation from the emirate to participate in the ongoing (29th to 31st May) European Incentive and Business Travel Meetings (EIBTM) exhibition in Geneva.

DTCM Director General, Khalid A. bin Sulayem and Mr Peter Seeger, Chief Executive Officer, TUI Beteiligungsgesellschaft (TUI Hotel Shares) signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the planned development followed by a ceremonial handshake on the Dubai stand at the EIBTM exhibition witnessed by the global media and the international travel trade.

Part of the TUI Group, Robinson Club Hotel is Germany’s leading club brand offering five-star hotel comfort with individuality as a holiday experience. The Dubai property will include six food and beverage outlets, a theatre, an Internet café, as well as a variety of watersports facilities and a fitness center.

To be situated alongside the Robinson Club, the Dubai Iberotel will include seven food and beverage outlets and will share the watersports facilities of the adjacent club.

Both hotels have been planned as beach properties and will incorporate architecture that blends with UAE’s culture and reflects the regional traditions with equipment and facilities to satisfy and exceed modern demands and comforts.

The TUI group has four main business segments including tour operating, incoming agencies, shareholding in distribution companies and hotel chains. The group owns seven hotel chains including Robinson Club, Iberotel, RIU, Grecotel, Grupotel, Dorfhotel and Magic Life.

Speaking to reporters in Geneva, DTCM Director General Khalid A. bin Sulayem said, “We have been working with TUI Group to target the European market for several years and in 1999, they were awarded the best German Tour Operator award by the DTCM.”

“TUI ranks among the world’s largest travel and tourism industry groups handling more than 20 million annual travelers and their decision to enter the emirate’s hotel industry reflects Dubai’s growing importance as a tourist destination across Europe,” Mr. bin Sulayem added.

He noted that the standards of comfort and levels of service offered by TUI Group’s hotel chains places them in the high-quality segment. “Properties that come under the TUI Group are characterised by high occupancy rates and repeat visitors,” Mr. bin Sulayem confirmed.

Mr. bin Sulayem further remarked, “Market forces determine the need for more hotels and since there is a marked growth in visitors to Dubai, the necessity for increasing capacity exists. Our approach is very pro-business and liberal and we advise potential investors and provide them with accurate statistics and relevant information to enable them to make balanced and knowledgeable business decisions as we did in the case of the TUI Group.”

“Dubai’s sustained growth in visitors for the last several years has seen a spurt in the number of hotels and this growth is set to continue well into the future,” said a confident Mr. bin Sulayem from the Dubai stand at EIBTM that has been inundated with visitors.