First Investor Group targets 2,000 rooms by 2020

Dubai-based The First Investor group, a subsidiary of Al Fardan Group, has announced plans to increase its hospitality inventory of rooms by 51 per cent by 2020.

Carlton Hotel Management is aiming to add 683 new rooms over the next three years that will take its total count to 2,000 rooms from the current 1,317. Out of the existing keys in operation, 1142 rooms are in Dubai, 85 in Jordan and 90 in the Czech Republic.

With an aggressive expansion strategy, Carlton Hotel Management has emerged as a major player in the hospitality sector with a total investment of over AED 2.2 billion in various hotel projects. This investment is set to reach AED 2.7 billion by 2020.

Hotels currently owned by the company include Carlton Downtown – Dubai, Carlton Palace Hotel – Dubai, Carlton Tower Hotel – Dubai, Marriott Executive Apartments – Dubai, Villa Rotana – Dubai, Four Points by Sheraton – Dubai, Imperial Palace – Jordan, Sun Hotel – Czech Republic and Belvedere Hotel, Czech Republic.

Growth strategy

The company recently announced the purchase of the Carlton Downtown hotel on Sheikh Zayed Road. It is the third hotel to be operated by Carlton Hotel Management – a brand owned by The First Investor, and the ninth in the group’s collection of hotels.

Mr. Hosni Abdel Hadi, CEO of Carlton Hotel Management company, said: “At Carlton, we have long-term growth at the forefront of our agenda. The strategy is to grow within the UAE market and then expand to key cities across Europe; London, Paris, Madrid and beyond.

“The UAE continues to be one of world’s most competitive economy for travel and tourism and this is significant and vital to Carlton brand. The UAE is considered one of the most secure destinations with an outstanding hospitality and entertainment infrastructure. We are delighted to be part of this dynamic and fast growing market.”