TDIC, JV partners to deliver six hotels in 2011

Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC), the master developer of tourism, cultural and residential destinations in Abu Dhabi, is to deliver six iconic hotels adding more than 1,600 hotel rooms and residences to the emirate in conjunction with its joint venture partners in 2011.

The announcement comes as TDIC showcases a variety of its forthcoming hospitality projects at the World Travel Market in London this week.

TDIC will introduce many “firsts” in 2011 with the delivery of six of the world’s best hospitality brands to Abu Dhabi city and the Western Region, building the emirate as an international destination of distinction.

The St Regis brand will debut in the UAE with the opening of the St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi, while the Rocco Forte Hotel Abu Dhabi, a joint venture partnership between TDIC and Al Farida Investments Company, will mark the Middle East premier of the Rocco Forte Collection brand. The Westin Hotel and Spa Abu Dhabi and Eastern Mangroves Angsana Resort and Spa are also to be delivered in Abu Dhabi city. In the Western Region, TDIC will introduce two lodges on Sir Bani Yas Island - Al Sahel Lodge and Al Yamm Lodge.

The six new hotels, each offering a unique visitor experience and a range of more than 1,100 hotel rooms and 500 branded residences will add to the variety of TDIC’s growing portfolio of hotels and support Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) goal of attracting over 2.3 million hotel visitors, with around 24,000 hotel rooms on offer in the emirate by 2012.

Mubarak Al Muhairi, Managing Director of TDIC and Director General of ADTA, said: “Abu Dhabi has strategically attracted a first-class portfolio of unique hospitality brands that will cater to a variety of international and domestic travellers. The first eight months of this year witnessed a 15 per cent increase in the number of hotel guests compared to the same period in 2009, and with the staging of key events and the opening of new museums, arts and sports venues, along with the attraction of desert culture and beach lifestyle, Abu Dhabi is an increasingly appealing destination.”

Each of TDIC’s new hotels will offer a different experience and have been carefully selected to appeal to the unique tastes of each visitor, whether they are in Abu Dhabi to relax in an eco-friendly lodge, take in the culture, enjoy a family holiday on the beach or meet for business. By attracting so many premium international hotel brands to one city, TDIC and its joint venture partners, together with the ADTA, are creating a landmark on the global tourism map.

TDIC and partners have already delivered six hotels to the emirate in the past three years, including Qasr Al Sarab and Desert Islands Resort and Spa in the Western Region, and, in Abu Dhabi city, Shangri-La Hotel, Traders Hotel, Park Rotana and Fairmont Bab Al Bahr.

2011 will be a landmark year for Saadiyat Island in particular, which will see the opening of its first hotels and exclusive Beach Club. In addition to TDIC’s St Regis Resort, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi National Hotels will be opening the five star Park Hyatt, Saadiyat Island, adjoined to the award-winning Saadiyat Beach Golf Course, which was opened by TDIC in early 2010 and is home to the Saadiyat Beach Classic.

Lee Tabler, CEO of TDIC, said: “By continuing to deliver a series of unique hotels, TDIC, along with its partners, is building on the success of the past four years, delivering a solid hospitality infrastructure that will support our flagship museum projects on Saadiyat Island as they move ahead on schedule over the coming years. Together with ADTA, TDIC will leverage the positive momentum we have already generated, and we look forward to building Abu Dhabi into an international tourism and business destination through 2011 and beyond.”

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