Dubai | Jumeirah, the dynamic and fast growing Dubai based luxury hospitality group, has announced the appointment of Mr. Francis Killory as Vice President of Development Asia Pacific.

Killory will be responsible for growing the Jumeirah portfolio of luxury hotels and resorts in Asia Pacific’s major cities and international resort locations.

With a strategic global focus on aggressively entering new markets over the coming months and years, Jumeirah will continue to follow its core operating philosophy. The commitment to 'Stay Different' - the company's tagline - and the drive for quality in all of its activities, are reflected in the number of prestigious travel and tourism awards that the Group has won, including the award for 'Best Business Hotel Group in the Middle East and Africa' by readers of Business Traveller Magazine Asia and Business Traveller Magazine UK.

In his new role, Killory will oversee Jumeirah’s growth initiative from the Group’s Development office in Shanghai, China, where the company recently signed its first PRC flagship property in China’s financial capital, the 338-room HanTang Jumeirah Shanghai, which is scheduled to open in mid 2008.

Killory has been active in Asia Pacific hotel development for 15 years, and has previously served in senior development positions with Inter-Continental, Meridien Hotels & Resorts, and Carlson Hotels Asia Pacific. He is fluent in Mandarin Chinese, and holds a MBA from Cornell University and an MSc in e-Commerce from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Paul McPherson, Chief Development Officer of Jumeirah said: “Francis brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our team and his appointment is an important step in our aim to accelerate Jumeirah’s growth in the Asia Pacific region and to further establish the brand in this key market for us.”

Killory commented “I am delighted to join one of the world’s fastest growing luxury hotel groups and I look forward to leading the successful development of Jumeirah in the Asia Pacific region.”

Note to Editors:

Jumeirah properties are regarded as among the most luxurious and innovative in the world and have won numerous international travel and tourism awards. The Dubai based luxury international hospitality group encompasses the world renowned Burj Al Arab, the world’s most luxurious hotel, the multi-award winning Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Jumeirah Beach Club Resort and Spa, Madinat Jumeirah and Jumeirah Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa.

The group’s activities are however, not restricted to hotel and resort management. The Jumeirah Group portfolio also includes Wild Wadi, regarded as one of the premier water parks outside of North America and The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management, the region’s only third level academic institution specializing in the hospitality and tourism sectors.

Jumeirah has also expanded internationally and manages the Jumeirah Carlton Tower and Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel in London’s Belgravia.

Building on this success, Jumeirah Group has become a member of Dubai Holding, a collection of leading Dubai based businesses and projects, in a step that aims to initiate a new phase of growth and development for the group.

As of January 15th 2006, Jumeirah has assumed management of the Essex House, one of New York’s most prominent hotels.

Mia Hedman
Director of Corporate Communications
+971 4 364 7947
Jumeirah