German hoteliers explore investment opportunities in Dubai

The group is in Dubai on a five-day trip during which they will be taken around major tourist attractions, latest projects and hotels.

Mr. Hamad bin Mejren, DTCM Manager Missions said: "The visit of the German delegation is part of the department's strategic planning to draw global attention to the investment potential of Dubai's fast-developing hospitality sector."

Mr. bin Mejren also briefed the delegation about Dubai's fast-emerging position as the leading leisure destination of the world.

Dubai is at the forefront of the hotel innovation. In 2005, six five-star properties have been opened, thereby expanding the capacity of hospitality industry.

The properties that welcomed visitors for the first time in 2005 include the Grosvenor House at Dubai Marina with 218 rooms and top 11 floors dedicated to premium executive accommodation ; Villa Rotana Suites (due to open at end-2005) and Al Murooj Rotana on Sheikh Zayed Road with a total of 588 units; Park Hyatt's exclusive 225-room property at Dubai Creek and Golf Club with eight unique spa rooms; 342 room Habtoor Grand Resort & Spa on Jumeirah Beach and the Al Jaddaf Waterfront (due to open by end-2005) to provide a further of 330 rooms.

In 2004, Dubai's hotel and furnished apartments stood at 383 with 35,396 rooms. A number of luxury, designer and hip hotels are expected to come up in the next three years which include the Armani hotel, with 353 rooms and apartments due to open in 2007-2008 in Burj Dubai.

Luxury fashion house Gianni Versace is also planning to open a luxury Creek-side resort in Business Bay by 2008. The Palazzo Versace Dubai will offer 220 suites and 204 villas plus the Conrad Hotel by Hilton on Sheikh Zayed Road with its 350 rooms that are scheduled to open in 2007.

Germany is one of the key source markets for Dubai tourism with the number of hotel guests in Dubai from Germany increasing by a whopping 50.8 per cent in 2004 from 2003.The number of German companies in Dubai stood at 390 in 2004.