SKAI holdings appoints Amit Arora as CEO of Hospitality Division

Former Emaar CMO brings 20 years of hospitality experience to the newly created role

SKAI Hospitality projects include $1bn Viceroy Dubai Palm Jumeirah

Dubai, UAE, 24 October, 2013: SKAI Holdings, the Dubai-based real estate investment firm, has appointed Amit Arora as its Chief Executive Officer Hospitality, overseeing the operational requirements for the $1bn Viceroy Dubai Palm Jumeirah, SKAI Holdings' deluxe serviced apartments operations and growing the company's hospitality division.

Arora - who has over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, including six years in senior sales and marketing roles at Emaar - will preside over the development of ten new and exciting food concepts in SKAI Holdings' new contemporary urban resort on the Palm Jumeirah. The luxury hotel and furnished residences project, which is currently under construction, is scheduled to be completed by 2016 and will be managed by Viceroy Hotels and Resorts.

"I am extremely excited to join the SKAI Holdings team and look forward to growing the hospitality division within this exciting and ambitious company. With projects including the Viceroy Dubai Palm Jumeirah, which I believe will become one of the region's most sought-after resorts, I have been given an amazing portfolio to develop and grow," said Amit Arora, Chief Executive Officer Hospitality, SKAI Holdings.

"Dubai is already the clear regional leader for hotels and restaurants, but the city has huge growth potential and I feel there is significant unmet demand for one of a kind resort and restaurant concepts. I am looking forward to introducing more unique food and beverage outlets to the city's culinary repertoire, and to developing even more concepts in the future for SKAI Holdings with leaders and innovators from across the hospitality sector," he added.

"We are pleased to welcome Amit Arora to the SKAI Holdings hospitality team. Arora brings with him a great deal of hospitality experience both here in the region and internationally, and together with SKAI Holdings we hope to build on the region's growing culinary landscape. In addition to working on the food and beverage concepts for our flagship project, Viceroy Dubai Palm Jumeirah, Arora will oversee SKAI Holdings hospitality division, a key area of focus for the company looking ahead," said Kabir Mulchandani, Chief Executive Officer, SKAI Holdings.

Arora brings with him a wealth of industry knowledge having previously worked with a string of international hospitality brands including Armani Hotels & Resorts, The Address Hotels + Resorts and The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company.

As Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, Arora oversaw sales and marketing for Emaar Hospitality Group. During his tenure at Emaar, Arora spearheaded the creation and launch of three unique hospitality brands, Armani Hotels & Resorts, The Address Hotels + Resorts and Vida Hotels and Resorts. He also pioneered the implementation of the entire global distribution network for Emaar Hospitality Group.

Arora joined Emaar from The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company where he held senior roles at various
Ritz-Carlton properties in Dubai, Berlin and Boston. He graduated from the International College of Hotel Management in Vienna, Austria and attended the leadership programme at Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida.

The Viceroy Dubai Palm Jumeirah will offer its investors and guests 479 luxurious rooms and suites and 221 signature Viceroy Residences with breath taking views of the Arabian Sea. The property's attractive location, situated at the base of The Palm Jumeirah archipelago, is easily accessible from mainland Dubai. The ideal location is just 15 minutes from the city's downtown centre, and is close to major tourist and business attractions such as the Dubai Marina and Dubai Media City.

Viceroy Dubai Palm Jumeirah will feature services and amenities created especially for the diverse group of business and leisure guests expected to frequent the hotel and residences. The hotel will also include spectacular dining venues hosted by world-class chefs and a modern spa. A beach club and a 100 metre-long pool will also be complemented by children's clubs, entertainment and sporting activities.

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About SKAI Holdings www.skaiholdings.com
SKAI Holdings is a Dubai-based real estate investment firm. Launched in 2011, it offers the entire range of services in the real estate industry from development to refurbishment to sales and hospitality. Being involved in all sectors of the industry allows of seamless forward-integration and economies of scale.

Property Development: SKAI Holdings is involved in the construction and development of properties across the UAE. Currently projects under development are valued at AED 3.6 billion.

Property Investment: SKAI Holdings purchases ready-properties with potential of improvement with their values, significantly enhances them and puts them back on the market.

Property Development Completion: SKAI Holdings identifies quality unfinished projects and through joint ventures with developer and contractors, infuses capital and know-how which results in completion of struggling incomplete projects.

Brokerage: SKAI Real Estate is a new brokerage firm of SKAI Holdings that will change the way the industry operates. It offers property for sale or for rent with the lowest commission in the market and full transparency. www.skai-re.com

Deluxe Serviced Apartments: SKAI Residency brings a brand new range of modern and deluxe hotel apartments to Dubai. www.skairesidency.com

For media information, please contact:
Claire Valdini
ASDA'A Burson-Marsteller
Tel: +971 44 507 600
Email: claire.valdini@bm.com