Dubai launches $680m Madinat Jumeirah expansion

Dubai's ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has back AED2.5bn ($680m) plans to expand the Madinat Jumeirah tourism development in the emirate.

The fourth phase of expansion, which will face the Burj Al Arab area, will include a luxury five-star hotel, villas complex, restaurants, a commercial centre featuring retail stores and an open walking area.

Sheikh Mohammed said the project was slated to be completed before the end of 2015.

In launching the development, Sheikh Mohammed, also vice president and prime minister of the UAE, said that the development of tourism infrastructure in Dubai must match the UAE's growing position as an international tourist hub.

He said the process of development in the country "never stops and has no limits".

The luxury hotel in the project will have 420 rooms with sea views and will also feature a range of international restaurants.

The group of villas and hotel apartments in the project will be run by Jumeirah Living, one of the subsidiaries of Jumeirah Group. The complex will host 45 luxury villas and hotel apartments.

Jumeirah Group, which runs Madinat Jumeirah, operates a world-class portfolio of hotels and resorts around the world.

It also runs luxury serviced residences brand Jumeirah Living, the spa brand Talise, Jumeirah Restaurants, Wild Wadi Water Park, The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management, and Sirius, its global loyalty programme.

Jumeirah Group also plans to launch a number of projects in the city of Baku, Azerbaijan, and Kuwait in the near future.