New Thai hotel projects in UAE

Minor International, a major Thai hotel group, is planning to set up new tourism and hotel projects in the UAE within a strategy to expand its portfolio in the Middle East and other regions, its chairman was reported on Thursday as saying.

William Ellwood Heinecke, also CEO of the group, said the company is keen to boost its presence in Abu Dhabi and other parts of the UAE and to expand cooperation with the emirate’s tourism authorities in the next period.

He said Abu Dhabi is on the verge of a tourism boom following the launching of major hotels and other projects, including famous museums on Saadiyat Island, adding that the Sheikh Zayed Museum and the Louvre would turn Abu Dhabi into “the capital of high quality tourism in the region and the whole world.”

Quoted by the Abu Dhabi-based Iris Media, Heinecke said such projects illustrate “Abu Dhabi’s keenness to develop its economy and promote its tourism sector so it will become a major tourism destination in the region.”

“We are interested in having a long-term strategic partnership with Abu Dhabi in the tourism field not only to make profits but because we consider Abu Dhabi a special place,” he said, adding that Minor Group would intensify its activities and operations in Abu Dhabi and Dubai in all related sectors, including hotels, resorts and SPAs.

He revealed plans for a new project in partnership with Oaks hotels and resorts in Abu Dhabi involving services and supplies for the company.

Heinecke, who also heads Anantara, said the company manages 91 hotels and 45 SPAs worldwide, adding that Anantara would pursue plans to expand its presence in the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific region to encompass 50 properties by 2015.

Currently with significant expansion in the Middle East, by the close of 2013, Anantara will have a portfolio of seven open properties in the region – five in Abu Dhabi, plus the first property in Dubai and a new country of operation, Qatar.

In Abu Dhabi, Anantara has nearly completed a project to build a resort comprising 30 villas on Sir Bani Yas Island, Heinecke said, adding that more luxury villas are being constructed in the heart of the wildlife park on the island.

“In Dubai, Anantara Dubai Palm Jumeirah Resort & Spa will be Anantara’s first property in the emirate when it opens later this year,” he said.

The luxurious new five star resort is located on the crescent of Dubai’s iconic Palm and will offer a total of 293 guest rooms and suites clustered in units of four to eight to maximise privacy, he said, adding that 130 guest rooms will feature direct access to 11,000 square metres of lagoon pools.

He said the project also includes12 beach villas, 18 over water villas and three highly exclusive royal beach villas.

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