UAE master developer Nakheel will partner with Thailand's Minor Hotel Group (MHG) to open a 500-room Avani beachfront resort to Deira Islands.

The resort will be located in close proximity of forthcoming attractions at Deira Islands, including Deira Mall and Deira Islands Night Souk. It will be the first Avani property in the UAE.

The partnership with MHG is Nakheel's second joint venture (JV) for hotels on Deira Islands this year. In May, Nakheel confirmed a partnership with Spain's RIU Hotels & Resorts to build a 750-room resort. More JVs are currently under negotiation.

Nakheel chairman Ali Rashid Lootah said: "Our partnership with Minor Hotel Group is 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 serious, reputable international partners to bring new hotel and resort brands to Deira Islands. Nakheel now has 1,250 new hotel rooms in the pipeline through joint ventures at Deira Islands."

Dillip Rajakarier, chief executive officer of Minor Hotel Group, said: "Deira Islands is an impressive project and we are pleased to have the opportunity to bring Avani to this new development."

Nakheel's tie-up with MHG is the latest development in the company's expansion into Dubai's hospitality sector, under which 10 hotels are planned at locations across Dubai. Nakheel plans to build five hotels at Deira Islands. The company is also developing the 5-star Palm Tower on Palm Jumeirah and hotels at Dragon City and Ibn Battuta Mall.
Source: Khaleej Times