RIYADH — “There are a lot of opportunities here in Saudi Arabia, where we plan to open Jabal Omar Jumeirah by the end of 2019 in the Holy City of Makkah. It has 1033 rooms and suites, in four buildings some overseeing the holy mosque and will have 2,500-3,000 employees. Making us a key employer in the region, and on this occasion, I am happy to say that we have been chosen as the best employee in the region for the second consecutive year in a row.” said Florence Dubois – Chief Brand & Communications Officer, Jumeirah Group in Riyadh last week during the annual GCC roadshow that began in Jeddah and followed by Riyadh, Bahrain and Kuwait.

“Jumeirah Group has 23 hotels worldwide, including 9 based in Dubai, with expansion plan that includes 7 hotels in 2019. The region for us is extremely important, even that we are strong in the region we still see place to develop” said Dubois.

In addition to Jumeirah Living Guangzhou which opened recently in China and Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort, which opened last week in Abu Dhabi, other Jumeirah hotels to open soon include in Q1 2019 are Jumeirah Al Wathba Desert Resort & Spa – Q1 2019 and Jumeirah Guangzhou and in Q2 2019 Jumeirah Muscat Bay and Jumeirah Bali.

Jumeirah’s UAE hotels received over 71,000 Saudi guests from January to September 2018.

Outside UAE, Jumeirah Messilah Beach in Kuwait, followed by Jumeirah Grosvenor House Suites by Jumeirah Living in London and Jumeirah Royal Saray in Bahrain recorded the highest visits from Saudis.

Jumeirah’s current collection of luxury hotels and resorts continue to prove attractive to Saudi visitors, with a 23% increase in room nights in 2018, versus 2017 and a 30% increase in room revenues in hotels outside of the UAE.

The Jumeirah Beach Hotel remains a popular choice with Saudi visitors. It was fully renovated during 2018 and re-launched in October, with 618 rooms and suites and remains Dubai's premier lifestyle destination, integrating exciting and exhilarating experiences designed for couples, families and friends.

Jumeirah appointed José Silva as its Chief Executive Officer around 8 months ago. Additionally, Michael Ellis joined Jumeirah from Michelin Restaurant and Hotel Guides where he was Global Director for Europe, Asia and the Americas as a Chief Culinary Officer, a new role introduced to the Group’s management team, reflecting Silva’s strategy to refresh and elevate Jumeirah’s culinary offering throughout its luxury portfolio.

Jumeirah Group has an established reputation as a valued partner for successful hotel owners and investors globally and is currently operating 23 Jumeirah branded properties across 8 destinations and is growing a second brand, Zabeel House by Jumeirah, an eclectic collection of hotels with a focus on locations at the heart of interesting and exciting neighbourhoods.