New properties in the UK, Thailand and Germany are on the cards for UAE-based luxury hospitality firm JA Resorts & Hotels.
COO David Thomson told Travel Daily UK JA was “exploring opportunities” in these three destinations, all of which are key source markets for its current portfolio of properties across the Dubai and Indian Ocean.
“We are looking at three country houses in the UK – in Kent, Devon and Scotland – hotel in Phuket, while Germany is another market that makes sense to us,” Thomson, speaking at this week’s World Travel Market (WTM) in London.
“These are all key source markets for our properties, as is the GCC, and we are therefore looking to open more properties in Dubai and even Saudi Arabia if we can find the right partner there.”
In the meantime, JA has confirmed plans to refurbish the Hatta Fort Hotel, an established property located on the UAE-Oman border in the Hajjar Mountains region.
The firm will also add another 300 rooms to JA Jebel Ali Golf Resort (JA Jebel Ali Beach Hotel and JA Palm Tree Court), one of Dubai’s top family retreats, which boasts a high repeat UK guest rate of 40%, revealed Thomson.
This will take the property’s inventory to almost 750 rooms and suites, such is the demand for this property, which even runs its own Wibit aqua park on site and is looking to create its very own kids’ theatre.
JA is also expanding its Indian Ocean presence and earlier this year signed a deal to manage the JA Eclipse Beach Resort in Kathiraveli on the east coast of Sri Lanka, which is mooted to open in late 2016/early 2017.
“The Indian Ocean is a big deal for us and is key to our expansion strategy,” confirmed Thomson.
JA launched its first property in the Seychelles, Enchanted Island Resort, in December 2013, followed by JA Manafaru in the Maldives in November 2014.
In Dubai the company also operates JA Beach Tower apartments, the cruise vessel Bateaux Dubai and the Al Sahra Desert Resort.
Thomson said JA had become well known for its “heartfelt hospitality and personal service”, as well as its world-class family offering, and this DNA would be inherent to all future properties.
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