Expanding its quality ethos across the international leisure management sector, Emirates has launched Emirates Hotels & Resorts, a new premier hospitality management division containing a portfolio of award-winning luxury conservation resorts, spas, and fully-serviced upscale apartment accommodation.

Emirates Hotels & Resorts, part of Emirates' Destination and Leisure Management Division, holds as its central vision the provision of exceptional service, the best possible location in any destination, and remarkable, luxurious facilities.

It will develop its portfolio of exceptional properties in Dubai and other locations to support and enhance the growth of Emirates, providing travelers with seamless quality travel and hospitality experiences.

The new Emirates Hotels & Resorts brand will be used throughout the portfolio, highlighting properties with the internationally-recognizable Emirates quality brand.

HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman & Chief Executive, Emirates Group, said, "This is an exciting development for Emirates, which brings a new dimension to our commitment to provide customers with the very best in premier travel services."

He added, "Emirates Hotels & Resorts' expansion, both in Dubai and internationally, will enable further development of our Emirates quality ethos throughout worldwide markets."

Emirates Hotels & Resorts currently manages the established conservation-based Emirates Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa in the desert hinterland of Dubai, recognized internationally for its contributions to conservation, as well as the recipient of some of the world's most prestigious travel and hospitality awards.

This success is being used as the basis of designs and operations in a second conservation-based property in the heart of a World Heritage area, the Emirates Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa in Australia's Blue Mountains.

The new division's Emirates Marina Serviced Apartments & Spa in Dubai is scheduled to open in March, 2007. Located near beaches, major business centers, Dubai's largest yacht bay and marina, and numerous cafes and restaurants, this luxury apartment complex will be followed by Emirates Green Lakes Serviced Apartments in mid 2007. Both properties will offer unparalleled levels of luxury serviced accommodation for short- and long-term guests on leisure or business visits.

All Emirates Hotels & Resorts' properties will incorporate Timeless Spas, the division's luxury spa brand developed from the highly-successful Jamila Spa at Al Maha. Timeless Spas will be located in each property, with unique treatments and spa products developed by its spa professionals using indigenous, natural ingredients.

Emirates' Destination & Leisure Management Division also includes Emirates Holidays, its tour operating arm; and Arabian Adventures, the Middle East's leading destination management company.

Emirates, the fast-growing Dubai-based international airline, now has 81 destinations on its international network and operates an all wide-bodied fleet of 88 aircraft. Independent and financially self-sustained, Emirates has 45 Airbus A380s and 62 Boeing 777s on order, and by 2012 expects to have nearly twice as many aircraft in its fleet as it does today.