Dubai, 13 November 2006... Ms Anne-Lyse Dufour, Resort Executive Housekeeper at Madinat Jumeirah - The Arabian Resort of Dubai, has been awarded Housekeeper of the Year at the 2006 Hotelier Middle East Awards held on Sunday evening.

Ms Dufour joined the Jumeirah Group almost a decade ago and worked as Executive Housekeeper at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel and the Burj Al Arab before joining the pre-opening team at Madinat Jumeirah in 2003. 

Mr Christophe Schnyder, General Manager of Al Qasr and Dar Al Masyaf, said he was delighted with Ms Dufour's achievements, "Congratulations must go to Anne-Lyse for this well-deserved accolade and for the ongoing commitment and enthusiasm she has shown throughout her career at Madinat Jumeirah."

"The Resort has over 3,000 dedicated colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure each and every guest enjoys an exemplary experience throughout their stay with us - it is wonderful one such colleague has been recognized on such a grand scale as Housekeeper of the Year," Mr Schnyder said.

Held annually, the Hotelier Middle East Awards are a celebration of excellence in the hospitality industry and award those working in a broad range of front and back of house roles.

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About Madinat Jumeirah
Madinat Jumeirah provides guests with an authentic and unique Arabian experience.  Set on a private beach, the Resort is an authentic recreation of ancient Arabia capturing the natural beauty of the region and interconnected by nearly 4km of waterways and landscaped gardens.

Madinat Jumeirah features two grand boutique hotels - Al Qasr and Mina A' Salam, accommodation in 29 traditional summer houses - Dar Al Masyaf, conference and banqueting facilities, including two grand ballrooms, a 1000-seat amphitheatre and the region's only dedicated entertainment centre and multi-purpose venue, Madinat Arena.

The Resort also provides extensive leisure and health facilities including the Quay Healthclub and Souk Madinat Jumeirah, a traditional retail and dining experience showcasing the best of Arabia. 

About Jumeirah Group
Jumeirah properties are regarded as among the most luxurious and innovative in the world and have won numerous international travel and tourism awards. The Dubai based luxury international hospitality group encompasses the world renowned Burj Al Arab, the world's most luxurious hotel, the multi-award winning Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Jumeirah Beach Club Resort and Spa, Madinat Jumeirah and Jumeirah Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa. 

The group's activities are however, not restricted to hotel and resort management. The Jumeirah Group portfolio also includes Wild Wadi, regarded as one of the premier water parks outside of North America and The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management, the region's only third level academic institution specializing in the hospitality and tourism sectors.

Jumeirah has also expanded internationally and manages the Jumeirah Carlton Tower and Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel in London's Belgravia.

Building on this success, Jumeirah Group has become a member of Dubai Holding, a collection of leading Dubai based businesses and projects, in a step that aims to initiate a new phase of growth and development for the group.

As of January 15th 2006, Jumeirah has assumed management of the Essex House, one of New York's most prominent hotels.

For further information please contact:
Kylie Speer - Resort Public Relations Manager
Madinat Jumeirah
PO Box 75157 Dubai,
United Arab Emirates
Telephone: +971 4 366 8888, Extension 6411
E-mail: kylie.speer@jumeirah.com
Visit us at: www.madinatjumeirah.com

© Press Release 2006