[IMG=21158-6993]The Department of Tourism and Commercial Marketing of Dubai reported that the first 12 hotels of 4* and 5* category will be opened in 2007 thus increasing the hotel base by 9,000 rooms. Eight of hotels planned for the next years will be built in cities - Crowne Plaza Dubai (318 rooms), Raffles Dubai (240 rooms), Bavaria Executive Suites (2100 rooms).
Meanwhile, Andrey Zorin, Head of the UAE Department of Russian Express, commented as follows: ‘Current hotel base development is reasonable owing shortage of hotels in Dubai at present. Jumeirah Hotels and hotels in Sharja are especially popular among Russian tourists’. Therefore, Russian tour operators are looking forward to opening of beach hotels. ‘Tourist flow to Dubai is increasing. We especially feel shortage of 5* beach hotels which are in high demand on the Russian market’, commented Senior Manager of the UAE Department, Anaida Arutyunova. According to her, city hotels are in lower demand. However, the Government of Dubai does not rush into opening beach hotels. In 2007 the palm Island will see the opening of only four beach hotelsо - Habtoor Grand Resort Jumeirah Park, Hilton Resort Hotel, Movenpick Resort & Spa and Movenpick Resort Oceana.
