Mandarin Oriental eyes Middle East expansion

Dubai International luxury hotel investment and management group Mandarin Oriental is planning to open a number of hotels in the Middle East, according to a senior group executive. The Hong Kong-based group, which operates some of the world's most prestigious hotels, resorts and residences, has already signed up two projects in the region — one each in Abu Dhabi (on Saadiyat Island) and Doha (in Musheireb area). Both properties — each housing 160 luxurious guestrooms and suites in addition to serviced apartments, are scheduled to open in 2014. "Mandarin Oriental will see properties coming up in Abu Dhabi and Doha in approximately two years' time — by 2014," Andre Devillers, director of sales and marketing at Mandarin Oriental Paris, told Gulf News during his recent visit to Dubai. He added that the group is looking at potential opportunities in markets such as Dubai, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. "We are looking for opportunities everywhere in the region. For us, the Middle East is a very important market and to enter this region is extremely important for the brand and the company as a whole," Devillers said. "However, we have to do it correctly and it always takes time, especially if you want to find the right location and the right investors. So it's important to take your time and location is key." Asked how many Mandarin Oriental properties the group is targeting to open in the region, he said: "Sincerely, it will depend on the opportunities. We don't have a specific number in mind." He added: "We can go quick and open a hotel but if it doesn't correspond to our standards, we won't be able to offer our loyal guests the same experience. So this is why we take our time." Commenting on the top-end luxury hotel offerings in the UAE, Devillers said: "We don't have that many top-end luxury hotel brands in the UAE market. We have a great deal of luxury brands, of course, but I think there is still room to bring in more top-end luxury brands." The luxury segment of the market is not yet saturated, according to Devillers. "You have got new markets coming on board, such as India and China, which are getting richer and thus leading to an obvious increase in travel. Even the Middle East market is increasingly travelling more now. So we need more luxury rooms in this market," he said. Future plans: global portfolio Mandarin Oriental has a global portfolio of 26 hotels across Asia, Europe and the Americas, with 20 projects in the pipeline. "These will be opened in the next four to five years," Devillers said. This year will see the company opening a hotel in Guangzhou followed by one opening in Milan in early 2013. "Besides, we have a project each in Shanghai, Taipei, Peking, Maldives, and we are looking for a hotel in Los Angeles," Devillers added.