Dubai
Dubai-based Crystal Group, a hospitality consultancy, aims to boost its revenue as it expands its presence in the UAE, according to its founder and chief executive Mazen El Zein.
The group, which was established in Lebanon in 2003 and later moved its headquarters to the UAE, operates 10 restaurants, beach clubs and lounges in Lebanon, Morocco and the UAE.
With three properties currently in the UAE, including the People clubs in Dubai and Abu Dhabi and beverage lounge and restaurant 40 Kong in Dubai’s H Hotel, the group aims to open two more properties in Dubai before the end of the year.
Em Sherif, an oriental restaurant, is set to open next month, while the Eden beach club is expected to open in the Rixos The Palm Dubai in October.
While the company is looking to expand to new markets, including Egypt and Turkey, and revisit operations in London, it is also focusing on expanding in Abu Dhabi.
“It’s a growing market, but small compared to Dubai. The market is not developed to the point where there is excessive demand. You have to carefully choose the projects you want to invest in.
El Zein expects the company’s revenue in the UAE to grow from an estimated Dh90 million in 2014 to Dh140 million next year, driven by the expansion.
Also, over the next five years, Crystal Group aims to open Em Sherif outlets in Abu Dhabi, Doha, Kuwait, Cairo, Istanbul and London, in addition to two 40 Kong outlets, one each in Abu Dhabi and Beirut, and an Eden Beach Club in Beirut.
