Minor Hotel Group to introduce Avani to UAE

Minor Hotel Group has announced a strategic partnership with Nakheel that will witness the hotelier debut its Avani brand to the region.

The two parties have agreed to co-invest and develop the 500-key Avani Deira Dubai Hotel slated to open in 2018. The new hotel will be located in the Deira Islands, a waterfront entertainment, tourist and residential destination being developed in alignment with the Dubai Vision 2020.

The first hotel launched under the Avani brand was back in 2011 that catered to a new strata of travellers, who demanded the highest standards of service and quality, but offering the best value for money. The brand currently has 13 properties in operation across South-East Asia and Africa.

Dillip Rajakarier, CEO Minor Hotel Group, commented: “We are excited to announce the launch of Avani in the UAE. It means a lot to the group to be entering into a strategic partnership with Nakheel, a well-respected partner in the region, one that we plan to enjoy a fruitful relationship with. Deira Islands is an impressive project and we are very pleased to have the opportunity to introduce Avani.”

Meanwhile, Nakheel Chairman Ali Rashid Lootah, said: “Our partnership with Minor Hotel Group is yet another milestone for our growing hospitality business, and highlights our commitment to creating new tourism concepts in line with the Government of Dubai’s tourism vision for 2021. Our strategy is to join forces with international partners who are serious about being part of Deira Islands, and then bring a range of new, international brands to the new waterfront city. We are delighted to work with Minor Hotel Group as part of this plan. Nakheel now has 1,250 new hotel rooms in the pipeline through joint ventures at Deira Islands, with more exciting partnerships under negotiation.”

The project comprises of four islands situated adjacent to Dubai’s Deira district, with a total area of over 15.3 square kilometres. The Nakheel-developed property will feature beachfront resorts, hotels and residential communities, a shopping mall, a waterfront night market and an amphitheatre able to accommodate up to 30,000 people.

Minor Hotel Group currently has a portfolio of nine hotels in the UAE across three of its brands – Anantara, Per Aquum and Oaks.

Earlier this year, Hotelier Middle East had reported that the Minor Hotel Group will be debuting two new properties in Oman, slated to open shortly.