Two new hotels are being built at the Dubai World Central (DWC), the world's first purpose-built aerotropolis, which will be managed by the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG).

The new projects - the 450-room Holiday Inn and 250-room Staybridge Suites hotel -  will be developed along the main route to the Al Maktoum International Airport and near the current terminal.

Announcing the new projects, IHG said the Holiday Inn Dubai World Central will be the fifth Holiday Inn property to open in the UAE, offering travellers to the city an inviting, familiar environment where they can relax and enjoy themselves.

It will feature an all-day dining restaurant, a speciality restaurant, bar and meeting space.

Staybridge Suites Dubai World Central will be the first franchised property under the brand in the Middle East, said the top hospitality group. The hotel joins a pipeline of two other Staybridge Suites properties set to open in the next three to five years across the UAE.

Ideal for business travellers or those seeking a home away from home during their holiday, Staybridge Suites Dubai World Central will feature a mix of spacious studios, one-bedroom and two-bedroom suites designed to create a homely residential environment to meet the needs of extended stay guests.

The IHG has signed a franchise agreement with Abjar Hotels International for the two airport hotels.

Abjar, the hospitality arm of the Almulla Group, currently has five IHG properties in its portfolio across two brands in Dubai: Crowne Plaza Dubai Deira, Holiday Inn Express Dubai - Internet City, Holiday Inn Express Dubai Jumeirah, Holiday Inn Express Dubai Safa Park and Holiday Inn Express Dubai Airport.

Rashed Bu Qara’a, the chief operating officer, DWC, said: "We are pleased to open doors to IHG as it expands its presence in the UAE. In line with the national vision, DWC represents a dynamic plan of expansion and development."

"To meet the needs of the 25 million visitors for Expo 2020, 70 per cent of whom will be from other countries, as well as the 200 million passengers expected annually at Al Maktoum International Airport, we are proud to be able to offer our hospitality partners the necessary infrastructure and facilities needed to remain at the forefront of this growth," he added.

Pascal Gauvin, the chief operating officer, India, Middle East and Africa, IHG, remarked: "Dubai is a key growth city for the group in the Middle East and with the development of new infrastructure we see greater opportunities for us to build our brands' presence here."

DWC, he said, was set to become a major commercial hub with immense potential for the hotel group to cater to the rise in business and leisure travel.

Yousef Almulla, the managing director, Abjar Hotels International, said: “Our development strategy goes hand in hand with Dubai's bold vision to be amongst the world's most prominent tourist destinations. When developing new hotels it is vital to find the right brand."

"We have been working with IHG for many years and in that time we have enjoyed healthy growth and excellent returns on our IHG-branded hotels such as Crowne Plaza Dubai Deira and the four Holiday Inn Express hotels. We are pleased to be extending our partnership with IHG to bring two new world-class properties to one of the most exciting upcoming business districts in Dubai," he added.-TradeArabia News Service