14 March 2005
BERLIN Abu Dhabi National Hotels (ADNH) is working on the possibilities of setting up two more five star hotels in the country while renovating Le Meridien hotel in the capital, said its chairman Khalifa Nasser Al Mansouri.
"We had a good year. We hope this year too we will repeat our business performance," Khalifa Nassar Al Mansouri told reporters at the ITB-2005 in Berlin.
He said that his group is working on the feasibility studies to capitalise the huge growth of tourist traffic into the country, which necessitates in creating more tourist facilities and infrastructure.
He said that work on Jumeirah Beach Hotel, a $100 million project is in full swing and by 2007, the property would be opening up its doors to the guests.
Already in a phased-manner, ADNH has refurbished and renovated its major properties in the capital, he said, adding that work on Hilton hotel renovation costing Dh50 million has just just completed, giving a new look to 145 rooms, lobby and restraurants.
He said that next on line to be refurbished is the Le Meridian hotel, on which work would start next month . It will also cost Dh50 million.
To a question, he said that though there is no immediate plan to venture-out of the UAE, since ADNH believes in good rate return on investment to start up a new project, "Our options are open, but we will first see the growth opportunities available in the Gulf region."
He did not favour the idea that hotel owners and management should dictate their tariffs to the market. " We must leave it to the free market forces to fix it," he said.
About ADNH's presence at the ITB-2005, he said that the group has long association with the travel exhibition, as Germany is the most important market for Abu Dhabi due to which the group takes part in the ITB.
ADNH has total 19 properities under its umbrella, which includes five-5-star hotels, besides four star and budget hotel and properties.BY HASEEB HAIDER
© Khaleej Times 2005
