Jumeirah's expansion plans remain on track

Singapore: Jumeirah Group said occupancy at its properties remains strong and expansion plans are on track amid the global financial crisis.

Jumeirah, which owns 11 hotels including the Burj Al Arab in Dubai, is enjoying occupancy of 86 per cent in the emirate, said Tony Cousens, senior vice president in charge of Asia Pacific. Most of the company's properties are in Dubai.

"There will certainly be some impact on the travel industry, the hospitality and leisure sector," Cousens said in Singapore yesterday. "However, in the luxury sector, we remain optimistic. Interest from potential owners and investors to manage luxury hotels remains strong."

Jumeirah plans to have 60 hotels by 2012, with a third of them in Asia, to compete for visitors when the region recovers, Cousens said yesterday. International arrivals to Asia will grow as much as eight per cent from 2008 to 2010, or 460 million tourists, according to the Pacific Asia Travel Association.

"There may be some slowdown," Cousens said. "However, the rest of our hotels are coming in from 2009 to 2012. We are well positioned."