Jumeirah Group to expand into India ;Expected to open in 2017.

　　Jumeirah Group, the global hospitality company and a member of Dubai Holding, has signed a management agreement to operate a luxury hotel in central Mumbai, India. The hotel is part of a major new development in the Lower Parel district of the city and is expected to open in 2017.

　　When complete the property will consist of 470 spacious rooms, suites and serviced apartments, a wide range of restaurants and bars, extensive conference, wedding, banqueting and meeting facilities and a Talise spa.

　　This agreement represents the first phase of Jumeirah Group"s expansion into India. The company is currently in advanced negotiations on potential projects for hotels and resorts in other key destinations in India.

　　Jumeirah Group currently operates 20 luxury hotels and serviced apartments, including 10 in the UAE, seven in Europe, two in the Maldives and one in China. A further 15 hotels are now under development. The signing of the company"s first deal in India is a breakthrough in a country that has both a high awareness of the Jumeirah brand and a growing appetite for luxury hospitality.

　　President and Group CEO of Jumeirah Group, Gerald Lawless said: "The demand for five-star hotels in the Indian market has been robust and we are delighted to have initiated the first phase of our expansion into India with this landmark project in Mumbai. We look forward to building on this success by bringing our promise of Jumeirah STAY DIFFERENTTM to other destinations in the country."

　　About Jumeirah Group:

　　Jumeirah Group, the Dubai-based luxury hospitality company and a member of Dubai Holding, operates a world-class portfolio of hotels and resorts. Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts includes Jumeirah at Etihad Towers in Abu Dhabi; Burj Al Arab, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray and Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai; Jumeirah Dhevanafushi and Jumeirah Vittaveli in the Maldives; Jumeirah Himalayas Hotel in Shanghai; Jumeirah Frankfurt in Germany; Jumeirah Grand Hotel via Veneto in Rome; Pera Palace Hotel, Jumeirah in Istanbul; Jumeirah Carlton Tower and Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel in London. Jumeirah Group also runs the luxury serviced residences brand Jumeirah Living; the spa brand Talise; Jumeirah Restaurants; Wild Wadi Waterpark; The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management; and Sirius, its global loyalty programme.

　　As part of its ambitious expansion plans, Jumeirah opened eight new hotels since the beginning of 2011 in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Shanghai, Frankfurt, Rome, London and two in the Maldives. A further four properties in Mallorca, Dubai, Kuwait and Baku will open in 2012.