UPMARKET hotel company Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts is to open its first property outside Asia.
The Shangri-La in Dubai, which will open towards the end of next year, is a first of a series of hotels the chain wants to open in other parts of the world.
Shangri-La chief executive offier and managing director Giovanni Angelini said: “Our plan was always to develop the brand and style of Shangri-La in Asia, then this year we would look at the possibility of getting into other markets. It is time for us to expand the chain out of Asia.
“Dubai has the right ingredients to develop both business and leisure travel. A new airport is being developed and the government has announced major tourist promotions.”
The 300-room deluxe hotel will be situated near to the Dubai Convention Centre, the city’s downtown district and the beach area.
Angelini said he wants to open up to four more hotels in the Middle East in the next few years and plans to open properties in the US and Europe by 2005. “I have been looking at a few opportunities that exist in London and New York but they have not made financial sense, so no deals have been agreed so far.”
Meanwhile, the Shangri-La Hotels in Singapore and Bangkok are to be revamped this year. The Shangri-La Bankok’s small tower, the Krungthep Wing, closes next month for the rest of the year for a revamp.
Angelini said: “The tower is over 10 years old. It is time to make some improvements.”
Shangri-La has 37 hotels including properties in China, Fiji, Hong Kong, Indonesia and Malaysia. It owns 30 and manages the remainder.