Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi, welcomes new recruits at Abu Dhabi International Airport

The hotel's executive committee, including General Manager, Adrian Rudin and Resident Manager, Khaled Ghaleb, welcomed their new colleagues with cheers and flags at Abu Dhabi International Airport.

Recent additions to the pre-opening team have arrived from countries including Malaysia, Philippines, Myanmar, Morocco, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Egypt, and join departments including finance, food and beverage, housekeeping and engineering.

Adrian Rudin welcomed the latest arrivals, who arrived from Indonesia, and said: "We are delighted to welcome you to the United Arab Emirates and to the growing Shangri-La Abu Dhabi family. We are looking forward to opening the hotel in the second quarter of this year and I am pleased that you have all chosen to be a part of the pre-opening team."

It was announced in January that construction is near completion on the five-star luxury hotel, with the opening of the first phase of the complex expected to be in the second quarter of 2007.

The 21-acre project includes 214 luxurious rooms and suites all with balconies, as well as seven villas, each with its own theme. The Residence will house 161 spacious serviced apartments, ranging from studio to four-bedroom units. Exceptional recreation facilities throughout the complex include four outdoor swimming pools, a health club with private pool, children's pool and playground, five private beaches and a variety of sporting activities.

Phase one includes the five-star luxury Shangri-La Hotel, seven villas, meeting and conference facilities, and the food and beverage outlets. Phase two will encompass Shangri-La's signature spa, CHI, the Shangri-La Residence and a lively souk (market), and will be completed by the end of 2007.

Al Jaber Group has played an instrumental part in the phenomenal development and growth of the United Arab Emirates over the last 30 years. With a current dedicated and professional workforce of over 25,000 employees and a visionary management team the group has made a significant contribution in playing an integral part of the countries ambitious construction efforts.

Al Jaber's participation in the development of the UAE's infrastructure has included involvement in areas such as construction, logistics, oil and gas services, landscaping, industrial development and trading. The achievements of Al Jaber have performed with consistent quality safety and excellence to bring services and products that have helped build a nation.

Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts currently manages 50 hotels under Shangri-La and Traders brands with a room's inventory of over 24,000. Shangri-La hotels are five-star deluxe properties featuring extensive luxury facilities and services. Shangri-La hotels are located in Australia, mainland China, Fiji, Hong Kong, Indonesia, India, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Sultanate of Oman, Thailand, Taiwan and the United Arab Emirates. The group has over 40 projects under development in Canada, mainland China, France, India, Japan, Macau, Maldives, Philippines, Qatar, Seychelles, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and the United States.