Spain's Iberostar eyes Dubai hotel opportunities

Grupo Iberostar, the Spanish hospitality group which has over 100 four and five star properties around the world, is exploring the possibility of managing a hotel in Dubai.

The company’s owner and executive chairman, Miguel Fluxá Rossello has been visiting the UAE will his team, with a view to expanding its business into the country, and specifically Dubai.

Yesterday he met with Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, chairman of Al Habtoor Group, which is behind a number of major hospitality projects in the city.

“We have heard so much about Dubai and the Al Habtoor Group and we came here to research the investment opportunities in Dubai. It’s a beautiful city and we wish to analyse the possibilities for entering into management agreements here,” said Fluxà

“We own around 60% of the properties we manage because we prefer investing. And we came to meet with Mr Al Habtoor and the Al Habtoor Group after hearing about the Group, their expertise and the big projects they are building in the UAE.”

Al Habtoor himself encouraged Fluxà to invest in Dubai and the UAE and the two are said to have also discussed potential ideas for business collaboration.

The Iberostar team have been staying at the Habtoor Grand Beach Resort & Spa and they were also given an update on the progress of Al Habtoor City. Fluxà and Al Habtoor have agreed to meet again in the near future.

“We have invested all over the world and have found that the UAE offers the most stable business environment and the best opportunities,” said Al Habtoor. “This is where we are making our money.”

Grupo Iberostar entered the tourism industry in 1956 and its portfolio of includes Iberostar Hotels & Resorts, the hotel division, Iberostate Golf, Villas & Condos, and Iberoservice for travel services.