Emaar Hospitality Group, the hospitality & leisure business of Emaar Properties PJSC, has announced its expansion to South Asia with a hotel management contract to operate Address Madivaru Maldives Resort + Spa, a picturesque beachfront resort set in a private island in the Indian Ocean, only 20 minutes by seaplane from Male International Airport.
The expansion to the Indian Ocean archipelago underlines the international growth plans of Emaar Hospitality Group, which now has 29 upcoming hotel projects in the UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey, and now, Maldives. The Group currently has 11 operational hotels and three serviced residences in Dubai, its home-market.
Scheduled to be operational in 2020, Address Madivaru Maldives Resort + Spa will be the first-of-its-kind island hotel project by Address Hotels + Resorts, the premium lifestyle hotel and serviced residences brand of Emaar Hospitality Group.
A part of the 2.42 sq. km Ethere Madivaru Private Island, owned by Adam Abdul Gafoor, Chairman of Finolhu Investment Ltd, Address Madivaru Maldives Resort + Spa spans a total area of 75,000 sq. m, with its design and contours defined by the vast coastline. Billed to be a spectacular vacation destination, the hotel project includes 80 beach and over-water villas including selected units for sale.
ÒWe are delighted to welcome Emaar Hospitality Group’s Address brand to Maldives to manage our exceptional property that will complement our nation’s focus on tourism growth,” said Adam Abdul Gafoor.Ê”Maldives has been the cornerstone of Indian Ocean tourism, and the government has announced visionary initiatives to drive the role of the private sector, including the long-term lease of islands for resort development. Address Hotels + Resorts bring a unique brand of hospitality that will appeal to the international holidaymakers in Maldives. With a strong intake of Middle East visitors, Address Madivaru Maldives Resort + Spa will appeal to visitors and investors from the region for holiday-homes and luxury stays in our country.Ó
ÒOne of the world’s most popular holiday destinations, Maldives is an ideal fit to our expansion plans to take our proven competencies in hospitality to newer geographies,” saidÊOlivier Harnisch, Chief Executive Officer of Emaar Hospitality Group.Ê”It is our privilege to have been chosen by Finolhu Investment to manage this iconic property in the Indian Ocean. We will work closely in the design and development of the hotel project, with a focus on maximising its oceanfront location. Address Madivaru Maldives Resort + Spa will not only enhance our reputation as a global hospitality provider but also add value to the local economy through its role in promoting premium tourism and holiday home investments.Ó
Among the stand-out features of Address Madivaru Maldives Resort + Spa include a dedicated Spa Island and Water Sports Island offering diving, surfing and a host of leisure pursuits, as well as water villas and presidential suites that redefine the standards of ultra-luxury hospitality. Amenities such as floating restaurants and lounges, over-water fitness facilities, swimming pools, and children’s play areas are all thoughtfully designed to maximise the oceanfront location.
The developer of the project, Finolhu Investment Pvt Ltd already has a strong footprint in the Maldivian tourism sector, especially through their cruise and yachting business. Mr Gafoor has also been associated previously with hotel developments, and with Address Maldives in the Madivaru Island, he aims to create a legacy in the hospitality sector.
Address Madivaru Maldives Resort + Spa will be one of the closest from the international airport with most luxury resorts a flying time of 30 to 45 minutes away. It will further support the Maldivian tourism industry, which recorded a growth in tourist arrivals by 4.2 per cent in 2016,1Êbuoyed by the Visit Maldives Year campaign, and reported a growth of 5.8 per cent from January to May 2017.Ê2
While Europe serves as the largest market with 44.7 per cent share in tourist numbers in 2016, visitors from the Middle East have grown from 1.5 per cent in 2009 to 4 per cent in 2016. Saudi Arabia was one of the top 10 source markets last year. The focus of the government on infrastructure development has benefited the tourism industry, and the completion of the international airport expansion next year is expected to further boost the sector. All major airlines in the UAE offer connectivity to Maldives.
Address Madivaru Maldives Resort + Spa is the 21stÊhotel project under Address Hotels + Resorts, which has brought a fresh identity to the global hospitality and service sector. The properties offer a more personal and engaging experience to guests in a premium lifestyle environment, enriching the lives of its guests with luxury, style and elegance.ÊThe upcoming international projects under the brand are:ÊJabal Omar Address MakkahÊin Saudi Arabia;ÊAddress Marassi Golf Resort + SpaÊandÊAddress Marassi Beach ResortÊin Egypt;ÊAddress Istanbul andÊAddress Residences Emaar Square IstanbulÊin Turkey; andÊAddress Marassi Al Bahrain.
Marking its tenth year of operation, Emaar Hospitality Group has redefined the hospitality sector of Dubai and is fast expanding its footprint to international markets.Ê
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