DUBAI - Shangri-La will significantly increase its presence
in the Middle East with the opening this month of its
mid-market Traders Hotel brand in Dubai. The new 250-room
Traders Hotel is located 10 minutes from Dubai
International Airport in the city's Deira commercial and
shopping area. "Our main market is business travellers and
of course the meetings segment. However during key Dubai
events, such as Dubai Summer Surprises, we also expect to
attract a share of the leisure market," said general
manager Wolf Flecker. Traders Hotel Dubai is the result of
a management agreement between Shangri-La International
Hotels & Resorts and Oman-based Zubair Corporation.
Shangri-La said it's keen to expand in a region which is
fast developing its tourism infrastructure and services. It
will open the 683-room Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa in
Muscat, Oman, in July next year, and the 35-storey
Shangri-La Hotel Doha in August 2006, prior to the Asian
Games in Qatar. In Dubai, the Shangri-La recently completed
its US$2,700-a-night Al Shams presidential suite on the top
two floors of the hotel.