Hyatt chief predicts luxury hotels growth

Park Hyatt chiefs said on Tuesday that the demand for luxury hotels would continue to grow in the Gulf region despite the impact of the global economic slowdown.

The group, which owns Park Hyatt Dubai, is set to open Park Hyatt Jeddah later this year, and the opening of Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi will happen in 2010, said Hyatt executives.

“The demand for luxury hospitality will continue to grow across the Gulf region, largely due to guests’ preference for premier location and personal service,” said Peter Fulton, managing director, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts – South West Asia International Operations.

He added: “We are confident that despite the economic downturn in the hospitality industry, more and more regional, local and international travellers prefer key elements such as discrete luxury and sophisticated designs – all of which are associated with the Park Hyatt brand.”

Park Hyatt Jeddah – Marina, Club and Spa, a 142-room hotel is set to open in the second half of 2009, while Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi, which will boast a nine-kilometre stretch of pristine natural beach, is slated for 2010.

Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi will be the 34th hotel in the Park Hyatt portfolio, the third Park Hyatt property in the Middle East following Park Hyatt Dubai and Park Hyatt Jeddah, the fourth Hyatt hotel in the UAE, and the ninth Hyatt branded property in the region.

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