Nov. 10, 2010--ABU DHABI -- Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC), the master developer of tourism, cultural and residential destinations in Abu Dhabi is to deliver six iconic hotels adding more than 1,600 hotel rooms and residences to the emirate in conjunction with its joint venture partners in 2011.

TDIC will introduce many "firsts" in 2011 with the delivery of six of the world's best hospitality brands to Abu Dhabi city and the Western Region, building the emirate as an international destination of distinction. The St. Regis brand will debut in the UAE with the opening of the St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi, while the Rocco Forte Hotel Abu Dhabi, a joint venture partnership between TDIC and Al Farida Investments Company LLC, will mark the Middle East premier of the Rocco Forte Collection brand.

The Westin Hotel & Spa Abu Dhabi and Eastern Mangroves Angsana Resort & Spa are also to be delivered in Abu Dhabi city. In the Western Region, TDIC will introduce two lodges on Sir Bani Yas Island -- Al Sahel Lodge and Al Yamm Lodge.

Each property will offer a unique visitor experience and a range of more than 1,100 hotel rooms and 500 branded residences will add to the variety of TDIC's growing portfolio of hotels and support Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority's goal of attracting over 2.3 million hotel visitors, with around 24,000 hotel rooms on offer in the emirate by 2012.

Mubarak Al Muhairi, Director General of Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), said that the first eight months of this year witnessed a 15 per cent year-on-year increase in the number of hotel guests, with the staging of key events and the opening of new museums, arts and sports venues, along with the attraction of desert culture and beach lifestyle, Abu Dhabi is an increasingly appealing destination."

Sharing his views on the additional competition that the new properties will bring into the capital's hotel industry, Paul Simmons, Director of Sales at Millennium Hotel Abu Dhabi said he is not worried with the up-coming competition, "as the business is still strong in the capital and with new projects coming to the city. "I believe there is enough business to go around," he told Khaleej Times.

However, Simmons said it will affect profits but so long as you live within your means you will still be able to operate and earn a good profit.

On room rents, which have already been affected by increasing competition, Simmons believed the market will be stable for the first six -- eight months of next year then with more openings, may see a fluctuation of rates again.

He was confident that new projects and events will be announced to absorb the new room supply.

"TDIC is building on the success of the past four years, delivering a solid hospitality infrastructure that will support our flagship museum projects on Saadiyat Island," said Lee Tabler, Chief Executive Officer of TDIC.

TDIC and partners have already delivered six hotels to the emirate in the past three years, including Qasr Al Sarab and Desert Islands Resort & Spa in the Western Region, and, in Abu Dhabi city, Shangri-La Hotel, Traders Hotel, Park Rotana and Fairmont Bab Al Bahr.

2011 will be a landmark year for Saadiyat Island in particular, which will see the opening of its first hotels and exclusive Beach Club.

In addition to TDIC's St. Regis Resort, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi National Hotels (ADNH) will be opening the five -star Park Hyatt, Saadiyat Island.

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