Tuesday, May 01, 2012
Gulf News
Dubai Fairmont Hotels and Resorts will open a new property in the northern emirate of Ajman early next year, the company said yesterday.
Abu Dhabi-based firm Seidco is the main contractor behind the project, which is located on Ajman’s Corniche and features 252 guest rooms.
Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, which operates more than 60 properties worldwide, is owned by FRHI Holdings Limited, which also boasts the Raffles and Swissotel brands. Qatar Investment Authority holds 40 per cent of the company’s shares while Saudi Arabia’s Kingdom Holdings also holds a substantial stake.
“This region is incredibly important for all three of our brands because of our shareholders; a large percentage of our ownership comes from within the region,” said Michael Glennie, president and chief operating officer at Fairmont Raffles Hotel International.
“We are going to see a lot of growth in China, India and eastern Europe over the next few years but the Middle East is still very important for us. None of our brands is currently represented in Doha and we are also looking to increase our footprint in Saudi Arabia,” he added.
Fairmont Ajman will become the group’s fourth property in the UAE after Fairmont Dubai, Fairmont Bab Al Bahr in Abu Dhabi and Fairmont Palm Jumeirah, which after several delays is scheduled to open in September.
“The Fairmont Palm Jumeirah is near to completion; it is awaiting a final fit-out and certification,” said Martin Van Kan, general manager of Fairmont The Palm. “It will feature 381 rooms, seven restaurants and bars, a ballroom and four swimming pools; we feel the timing is appropriate,” he added.
“There is no question that when you have a significant amout of supply it can pose a slower build-up in terms of occupancy. That issue can be alleviated, however, if a country has a strong tourism authority,” said Glennie.
“For example, Singapore experienced a 30 per cent increase in supply but everybody’s occupancy went up because of a concentrated effort from the tourism authorities. The UAE has done a terrific job in terms of its airlines as they help to ensure large numbers of tourists can be absorbed,” he added.
By Kevin Scott?Staff Reporter
Gulf News 2012. All rights reserved.
