Dubai Holding recently announced ambitious plans for Mall of the World, a project in the heart of Dubai which will see the creation of the world's largest mall, an indoor theme park, wellness and entertainment zones and 100 hotels and serviced apartment buildings.

Here Dubai Holding CEO Ahmad Bin Byat answers questions put to him by HotelierMiddleEast.com:

What is the targeted completion date for this project and when will it start opening? When is construction set to start?

This is a massive project that will be developed over phases based on market demand. The first phase of the development will be the one located on Sheikh Zayed Road. It will be focused on the hotels as there is a huge demand as well as the retail element, i.e. the street network.

We are currently appointing consultants specialising in a range of expertise that complement our own and to advise us on this project. This will take around six months and then we will be at a better position to announce start and completion dates.

Of the 100 hotels and serviced apartment buildings, do you have a target number for each rating category? How will it fit in with the government’s vision for more mid-market hotels?

We don’t yet have a breakdown of each category; however we are keen that the facilities available at Mall of the World cater to a wide range of tourists, from travellers seeking exclusive luxury and boutique options, to mid-range and budget hospitality. This comes as part of the government’s vision to increase the range of mid-market hotels and to provide options suitable for all types of tourists. As a long-term investor aligned with the government’s vision, we are looking to build capacity for the future.

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Are you already in discussion with any hotel operators?

It is still an early stage, however, we are confident that this project will appeal to different hotel operators and we welcome all to contact us. Obviously, we are planning to use our own Group capabilities as well. Jumeirah is a leading luxury hotel operator and both TECOM and Dubai Properties have successful experience in managing mid-market hotels. We will disclose more details in due course.

Why was this plot of land selected for this project?

A number of factors came into play when selecting a plot, but as you can imagine location is critical. This plot is a key part of our land bank and is strategically located at the centre of Dubai.

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