DUBAI is set for further massive hotel development as it establishes itself as a major tourist destination.
The United Arab Emirate already has 266 hotels with a capacity of 18,451 rooms and is expecting another 4,500 rooms to open within the next two years.
December sees the opening of the eye-catching 202-suite Burj Al Arab (Arabian Tower) on a man-made island just off the coastline.
Part of the Jumeirah Beach Resort, the sail-shaped property boasts a heli-pad, underwater restaurant and duplex suites.
During 2000 and 2001 more than 10 other hotels are scheduled to open, most of them operated by major international chains.
Several will open on Jumeirah beach, including the 524-room Al Moosa Beach hotel and a 180-room low-rise Four Seasons property.
During this period, Thailand-based Dusit Hotels and Resorts is opening a 37-storey development with 147 apartments and 175 rooms.
In February, the 400-room Emirates Tower Hotel is due to open, six months ahead of schedule, and will be the world’s tallest hotel at 305 metres high.
Later in the year, the 240-room Holiday Inn Bur Dubai also comes on line in the city.
In 2001 three hotels are opening on Sheikh Zayed Road – the 440-room/205-suite Sheraton Pyramid Hotel, the 267-room Park Plaza Hotel and the 250-room Golden Tulip Hotel.
In addition, Hyatt is opening a five-star Grand Hyatt near to the Wafi Shopping Mall.
The property will have 432 rooms, 186 serviced apartments and a ballroom catering for 1,500 people seated theatre style.
In late 2001, Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts will open a 300-room hotel with 110 serviced apartments.
It is part of a twin tower, multi-purpose complex being built close to Dubai’s World Trade Centre and will be Shangri-La’s first hotel in the Middle East.
Shangri-La director of marketing Europe Austin Frost said:”Not only is Dubai a key stopover destination for our properties in the Far East, it is also becoming a major tourist destination in its own right, particularly with the UK and Ireland market.”
The hotel development in Dubai follows a decision by its government 10 years ago to embark on a major tourism drive as a key way of securing economic growth.
At that time, less than 630,000 people visited Dubai annually but this figure grew to 2.54m last year.
A year ago, 66 UK and Irish tour operators were marketing holiday packages in Dubai. This figure has now risen to 86.