Dubai: 18 February 2003
THE UAE based Belhoul Group and the leading international French group Accor will build and manage the region’s first wellness and thalassotherapy resort to be located on The Palm, Jumeirah.
The five star resort will be developed by Belhoul Group and situated on the world’s largest man-made island. It will offer a complete package for guests seeking to combine the utmost in hotel services and unique location, while experiencing a ‘wellness’ ambiance through the most advanced techniques in internal and external health and fitness.
The 400-roomresort complex will be located on the second plot of The Palm’s trunk and will occupy a site of 20,000 square meters.
Belhoul and Accor executives stressed the synergy between the two groups and their complementary skills and resources.
Faisal Belhoul, CEO of Belhoul cited Accor’s vast experience and its network of hotels and travel agencies, while Christophe Landais, Accor’s regional director highlighted Belhoul’s position as one of the leading health/wellness providers in the UAE.
"Together we will bring about a truly unique concept, in that wellness and hospitality are combined to create synergy, allowing us to cater to the needs of the growing health/wellness travel niche market as well as the entire tourism market,” said Belhoul.
The French group, Accor, is already one of the biggest hotel operatorsin the world, withmore than 400,000 rooms in 90 countries and new propertiesbeing added to their portfolio every day.
“The Palm, dubbed the ‘Eighth Wonder of the World’, has proved to be a major draw for hotel operators from across the globe. We welcome this new resort from Belhoul / Accor,” said Saif Sultan Al Shamsi, managing director – commercial, The Palm.
“Excellent infrastructure, the clear commitment of the Dubai authorities to create a world-class tourist destination, and a unique environment have provided hotel operators with a highly attractive and persuasive package. A key additional factor in drawing operators to this new Dubai landmark is the opportunity to own, not simply operate, their property on The Palm.”
Landais said: “The Palm is a first-class location for the region’s first thalassatherapy and wellness resort, in line with the exceptional locations Accor has selected over the years in the most beautiful regions of France and throughout the world, all offering a healthy change of scenery and a wealth of cultural interest.”
Ground breaking for the multi-million dollar resort is planned for the third quarter of this year and it is due to open by the end of 2005.
The focus on thalassatherapy (from the Greek ‘thalassa’ meaning ocean) reflects the increasing popularity of a form of treatment that combines the marine environment with natural medicine to eliminate body toxins, relax knotted muscles, aid blood circulation and stimulate tired skin.
Belhoul Group’s involvement in the medical and wellness services industry goes back to 1977, and its continued expansion policy is an attestation to its commitment to provide the highest quality health/wellness services to the Region. It has recently opened the Belhoul Apollohospital – the latest private advanced care tertiary hospital in Dubai.
Its wellness services to the Accor-managed resort will include complete diagnosis, nutritional management, alternative treatments, therapy, meditation, cosmetic surgery, and dentistry.
Belhoul said: “We believe that deep down everyone is health conscious, but many are reluctant to act on it because it is perceived as being inconvenient and hard work. This project will allow us to introduce services that will make ‘being healthy’ a truly enjoyable experience.”
“We are fortunate to be part of The Palm, Jumeirah development which itself promotes the implementation of avant-garde concepts, and is an example of innovation and exclusivity. We also have the pleasure to participate in the realization of HH Sheikh Mohamed Bin Rashed Al Maktoum’s vision of making Dubai a hub for wellness and health,” continued Belhoul.
“The UAE is a prime target for Accor’s regional expansion and The Palm development will be our fourth managed hotelin Dubai,” said Landais.
Accor plans to increase the company’s presence in strategic locations with potential partners across the region, featuring its luxurious five-star Sofitel hotels and resorts, business-orientated Novotel hotels, versatile Mercure hotels, and the economical Ibis brand.
-Ends-
A STUNNING blend of historic Arab architecture and contemporary style creates a dramatic presence for the proposed multi-million dollar wellness and thalassatherapy resort on The Palm, the world’s biggest man-made beach off Dubai’s Jumeirah beach, to be developed by the UAE based Belhoul Group and operated by the European hotel chain Accor.
Architect Larry Ziebarth of HHCP Design International, who are also the creative master planners for The Palm, says the architectural expression of the
400-room resort establishes a strong regional sense of place along with a sense of fantasy, timelessness, and grandeur.
About Belhoul Group
From a single-line trading company in 1969, Belhoul Group Holdings LLC has grown to be a multi-faceted conglomerate - prominent in healthcare and hospital management, fitness and health clubs, education, trading, distribution, retail, property development and management, manufacturing, and travel and tourism.
With a vision to be a Middle East leader in managing diversified investments, the Group focuses on setting the standards in professional management, applying best practices, and utilizing the latest technological developments.All inspired by Islamic morals and business ethics.
Group Activities:
- Health Care - Belhoul Apollo Hospital; Belhoul European Hospital
- Recreation & Fitness - Platinum Health Clubs
- Education - Dubai International Schools
- Trading - Gulf & World Traders
- Distribution - Pharma World Gulf ; World Veterinary
- Retail - The First Medical Shop; Mummy & Me
- Property Management, Maintenance & Construction - Gresco
- Manufacturing - Emirates Industries
- Tours & Travel - Gulf & World Tours & Travel
About Accor
With 150,000 associates in 140 countries, Accor is the European leader and one of the world's largest groups in travel, tourism and corporate services, with two major international activities:
- Hotels: 3,835 hotels (441,418 rooms) in 90 countries, travel agencies, and restaurants
- Services to corporate clients and public institutions: each day, 13 million people in 32 countries use a broad range of services (food vouchers, people care and services, incentive, loyalty programs, events) engineered and managed by Accor
About The Palm
The Palm involves the creation of the world's largest two man-made islands known as The Palm, Jumeirah and The Palm, Jebel Ali. Located just off the coast of the city of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, the two palm tree shaped islands are expected to contribute to the city's position as a premier global tourist destination. The project will increase Dubai's shoreline by a total of 120km and create a large number of residential, leisure and entertainment opportunities, all within a unique and inspiring setting.
The creation of The Palm is an extraordinary project of grand proportions. Comprised of approximately 100 million cubic meters of rock and sand, each island will eventually support 50 luxury hotels, 2,500 exclusive residential beachside villas, up to 2,400 shoreline apartments, two marinas, water theme
parks, restaurants, shopping malls, sports facilities, health spas and cinemas.
The vision of The Palm was conceived by His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Defence Minister. Construction commenced in June 2001 after many years of research and planning. Each island will take approximately two years to be completely raised from the sea. A further two to three years will be required to complete the infrastructure and the buildings. The end-result will be the creation of two virtually self-contained communities within the islands.
For further information, please contact
Hania Tabet at Bain Euro RSCG
Tel: 009714-3903030
Fax: 009714-3918486
email: hania@baincom.com
PRESS CONFERENCE SPOKESPEOPLE
Mr. Saif Sultan Al Shamsi, Managing Director – Commercial, The Palm
Mr. Faisal Belhoul, Chief Executive Officer, Belhoul Group
Mr. Christophe Landais, Regional Director, Accor Middle East
© Press Release 2003
