New General Manager & Regional Manager at Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts for 4 new exclusive properties in Dubai

With strong, international experience in leading hotels, Thomas Tapken, was appointed as General Manager of Mövenpick Hotel Bur Dubai in July of 2003 till January 2006. In just under two years, Thomas Tapken, has undertaken the partial refurbishment of the Mövenpick Hotel Bur Dubai and has repositioned the hotel solidly within the competitive Dubai market as well as on the international market. There is no doubt that he will meet his next challenge with the same dedication, passion and drive.

Two of the exclusive Mövenpick Resorts are currently being built on the magnificent Palm Jumeirah, a revolutionary billion dollar project featuring a man-made "palm tree shaped island" built out into the sea. Mövenpick Resort & Spa The Palm, Jumeirah located on the outer palm crescent, is conceived as a luxury 5-star resort with 291 rooms, 12 water villas and family villas. Mövenpick Resort Oceana The Palm Jumeirah, located on the trunk of the palm is scheduled to open in March 2007, The 5-star resort boasts 248 rooms and suits, 142 apartments and an unseen business centre. The Ibn Battuta Hotel Dubai operated by Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts, with 445 rooms and 145 apartments, will be on Sheikh Zayed Road, adjacent to the new Ibn Battuta Mall, 5-star luxury hotel, due to open in September 2007, features a distinctive Moroccan-style. The fourth project is being completed in the Deira district: Mövenpick Hotel Deira a 5-star hotel with 245 rooms adjacent to a convention center with over 10 meeting and seminar rooms, due to open in April 2007 is aimed at business executives, airline personnel and leisure visitors.

"Our hotels in Dubai will be clearly differentiated yet complement one another perfectly to meet the requirements and preferences of our guests, and with all the specialty restaurants we have planned we'll be able to offer our guests a culinary journey round the world,"

said Thomas Tapken, General Manager & Regional Manager of 4 new exclusive properties.