Premier international hotel brands to locate on The Palm, Jumeirah

Nakheel, Dubai's premier property developer, today released details regarding hotel developments on its signature development, The Palm, Jumeirah.

United Arab Emirates: October 18 - 2005

Following the announcement earlier this week of plans for The Palm Trump International Hotel and Tower - the first joint investment project between Nakheel and The Trump Organisation and a landmark building at the centre of the trunk of The Palm, Jumeirah - Nakheel today announced that more than 25 of the top international hotel brands will be located on the development, providing a wide variety of beachfront resorts and greatly enhancing Dubai's tourism offer.

Confirmed hotels include world-famous brands, Movenpick, Anantara, Fairmont, Radisson SAS, Hilton, Metropolitan, Shangri La, One and Only, and Atlantis, who will be creating a water-theme park hotel resort at the centre of the Crescent. Other key brands currently in serious discussions with Nakheel to locate on the development include Starwood, Marriott, Oberoi, Chedi, Taj, and Dusit.

James Wilson, Chief Executive Officer, Nakheel, said: 'We have attracted many of the most respected hotel brands in the world, ensuring that The Palm, Jumeirah will be one of the world's finest tourism destinations, a mega-resort and landmark attraction. These hotels will attract hundreds of thousands of visitors a year, playing a key role in Dubai's tourism offer'

Dubai is one of the fastest growing tourism destinations in the world, with visitor numbers almost doubling in the last five years. In 2004 its hotel industry played host to a record 5.42 million guests in 371 hotels. The impressive year on year growth is the result of the Government's proactive policy of cooperation and support to the private sector, the implementation of a well envisioned strategy, an impressive and varied tourism offer, and key infrastructure developments.

'One of Dubai's key attractions is its natural assets of year-round sun and beautiful beaches' James Wilson continues. 'However, due to our small amount of natural beachfront, there are currently only approximately 20 hotels with beach access. The Palm, Jumeirah will add approximately 30 such hotels. There will be over 12,000 hotel rooms and 2,500 serviced apartments situated on the island in a wide range of hospitality types from elite luxury resorts to family resorts and health and spa resorts.'

Construction will commence on all hotels shortly, James Wilson confirmed: 'We are implementing strict development timetables and will be ensuring all hotel developers on The Palm, Jumeirah commence construction within six months to ensure that all construction works are minimised on the island when residents move into their villas and apartments at the end of 2006.'