With Abu Dhabi’s escalating growth in the hospitality sector – the capital’s hotel occupation rates during the first quarter of 2007 hit 90 per cent - the UAE now has two cities establishing the country’s firm place on the global leisure and corporate travel map.

Abu Dhabi renovation rises to challenge

The re-opening of InterContinental Abu Dhabi comes at a time of rapid economic development for the emirate with the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority aiming to attract up to three million visitors and 25,000 hotel rooms by 2015, a three-fold increase from the current annual average. The planned US$6.8 billion expansion of Abu Dhabi International Airport will support this growth.

Not only are more and more people arriving in Abu Dhabi for both business and pleasure, it is fast becoming an increasingly attractive place to settle with residential and retail real estate sales expected to reach around $2.5 billion this year.

While InterContinental Abu Dhabi has enjoyed four major renovations in the past 25 years, the dramatic developments within the city over recent years meant a radical overhaul was required to cater for an increasingly discerning and exciting market.

Following the multi-million dirham programme initiated by owning company National Coporation for Tourism & Hotels, the majority of the hotel’s 390 rooms and suites are now available to guests as the management team are putting the final touches to the extensive choice of lavish food and beverage options and state-of-the-art facilities.

Dubai development diversifies

While as a tourist destination Abu Dhabi is making fine first steps in attracting a growing number of intrigued visitors and leading business people from around the world, Dubai is making headway at a fantastic pace. With an estimated $100bn worth of projects planned for the near future in Dubai, the city is being dubbed as one of the most important places on the planet.

Dubai is targeting 10 million visitors annually by 2007 and 40 million by 2015, and InterContinental Hotels Group will play a huge part in supporting this growth by operating an anticipated 11 hotels and a total of 5000 rooms in the city within the next three years.

Dubai Festival City projects enter final stages

The group's three properties at Dubai Festival City already stand tall on the banks of the city's creek and with opening expected late summer 2007, the focus is now turning to the final touches that will really make the hotels stand out.

On the interior, London-based GA Design International is responsible for the stunning room designs, which balance a luxurious look with practical and modern designs.

Outside the hotel, the state-of-the-art conference centre that links the InterContinental and Crowne Plaza properties is almost complete and is set across an impressive 3,800sqm. With the capacity to host up to 1800 guests, the facility will be integral to the city’s exploding MICE market.

Lastly, a successful recruitment drive across all departments for all three properties means that, on opening, more than 1200 employees from 45 countries will welcome the first guests.