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Being part of the Al Habtoor Group is like being part of a family and I am proud to
call myself a ‘Habtoorian’ for over 27 years. I look back at the visionary decisions
made by our Chairman, Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor and milestones marking the
path to create one of the region’s most successful family conglomerates.
The year 1989 was a turning point for the hospitality division but also for what is
today the world-renowned Dubai Marina. Back then only a deserted beach, the
Chairman opened the first private beach with 114 chalet, the Metropolitan Beach
Resort, sparking a new era of tourism in the Jumeirah area. In 1997 the Habtoor
Hospitality unit added its third hotel to Dubai, the Metropolitan Palace Hotel,
joined later by the Metropolitan Hotel Deira. In 2006, the Group completed the
Habtoor Grand Beach Resort & Spa which is now ‘beyond anyone’s imagination
back in 1989’ as the Chairman once admitted in one of our conversations.
During the days of the Gulf war, the Chairman realized the need for high quality
International curriculum in Dubai. He built the Emirates International School -
Jumeirah as one of the first institutions in the UAE to offer the International
Baccalaureate Programme in both the Primary and High schools reinforcing the
notion that Dubai and the Group are on par with international standards.
In the 1990’s, the Al Habtoor Group continued to expand and grow in parallel with
the UAE. Diamondlease belongs to the top local car rental brands competing
with the international franchises and a fleet size of 8,500 vehicles.
During the past two decades Al Habtoor Motors achieved an impressive growth
trajectory bringing the motors division into the spotlight as the world’s leading
auto dealer for Bentley, Mitsubishi, McLaren, and Bugatti vehicles.
The success story continues with the opening of the majestic Waldorf Astoria
Dubai Palm Jumeirah and international expansion of the hospitality industry to
Lebanon, Hungary and the US. I look forward to the much-awaited opening of
the three luxury hotels, residential towers and theatre at Al Habtoor City in the
coming months as well as the St. Regis Dubai, Al Habtoor Polo Resort & Club
in 2017.
I am proud to hold not just one but two Chairman Award trophies, the first which
I received back in 1995 in the former banquet hall of the Metropolitan Hotel
on Sheikh Zayed Road. Now I look forward to the Golden Jubilee celebrations
in 2020! My congratulations to the Chairman and thanks for his support and
guidance over the years and for his invaluable piece of advice: “retirement is the
graveyard.”
K. P. Rajan
Group Financial Advisor
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