Landmark Group Hotel on a regional expansion drive

Landmark Hotel management is part of the Khalid Abdullah Al Ghurair Group, one of the leading family businesses in the UAE.

The Landmark Group Hotel has acquired several new properties in an expansion drive, which will see new hotels in the UAE, India, Oman, Kuwait.

Gulf News spoke with S.M. Sadique, Group Director, about Landmark Group Hotel's regional expansion.

Gulf News: You have just opened a new hotel in Dubai (Nasser Square). What are your future development plans for the emirate?

Sadique: Landmark Hotel Group intends to maintain its position as one of the leading hotel management companies in the UAE. We are part of Zenath Property Development company, which will be developing 10 luxurious hotels in the next two years.

Among the projects being prepared are a 90-room three-star Landmark Inn Hotel and a 150-room four-star Landmark Palace Hotel, both on Al Riga Road, Dubai; a 140-room The Landmark Grande Hotel at Nasser Square; a Star Mark Hotel; and a 178-room four-star hotel on Salahuddin Road.

The other developments include a 200-room four-star hotel to be built at Dubai Investments Park; a four-star hotel near Dubai International Airport; a 140-room four-star hotel in Abu Dhabi; a 77-room deluxe serviced apartment complex in Abu Dhabi; and a serviced apartment in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Gulf News: How does being Sharia-compliant affect the type/number of guests you get at your hotels?

Sadique: The popular notion is that Western guests would be put off by restrictions such as those on serving alcohol. However, this has proven to be unfounded, as both business and family Western travellers have shown a preference for hotels that are quiet, clean, and have excellent services. We also expect to attract Arab travellers, especially those from conservative families, who are interested in visiting our country but are discouraged by the alcohol and indulgence found in many upscale hotels.

One factor driving the growth of Shariah-compliant hotels is the increasing number of Arab and Muslim travellers and their growing purchasing power. According to the World Tourism Organisation, Gulf travellers spend $12 billion annually on leisure travel. In addition, Muslims account for a significant 1.2 billion of the world's population. Perhaps more importantly, leisure and business tourists from the Arab World spend 10 to 50 per cent more than the average traveller.

Gulf News: How many properties do you currently have in the Middle East?

Sadique: We presently manage a trio of Dubai-based three-star hotels, namely, Landmark, Landmark Plaza, and Seashell Inn. We also have the Landmark Suites line of deluxe-serviced apartments in Deira, Ajman, and Manama, Bahrain. We will be opening a Landmark Suites branch in Jeddah by May 2008.