Al Moosa Group, Hilton International's development partner in Dubai, is negotiating for a 600-room resort at the Palm Jumeirah, said a top official of the brand's regional operations.
This is going to be part of the brand's expansion plan in the region, which will see additional properties being launched in strategic locations in various cities, including Dubai and Muscat.
Private Property Management, another development partner, has shortlisted bidders for project management consultancy for a Dh550 million, 350-room Conrad Dubai Hotel, Hilton's deluxe brand of hotels. The hotel will be located on a plot between Fairmont Hotel and API World Tower on Shaikh Zayed Road.
A main contractor for the project is expected to be chosen during the first half of next year. Site work for the project will start in July with completion set for 2007.
Hilton has 33 hotels in the Middle East and one Conrad brand in Cairo. Conrad Dubai will be the second Conrad in the region.
Hilton is finalising a deal with the Jumeirah Beach Residence for a 290-room executive apartment complex, that will be linked to its existing hotel, Hilton Jumeirah Beach, with a bridge. It is also negotiating some new projects at the Dubai International Financial Centre and Dubailand.
Hilton has also identified the serviced apartment business as part of its strategic growth plan.
Meanwhile, the hotel industry is experiencing strong growth in the region, due to higher international arrivals this year.
"After the twin crises of SARS and war in Iraq, traffic has come back strongly," Rudy S.K. Jagersbacher, Hilton International's vice-president for Arabian Peninsula, told Gulf News in an exclusive interview. "Our hotel and the rest of the hotel industry has had a very good year so far.
Gulf News
