Tag Archives: Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor

Al Habtoor Group (AHG) is set to open a regional office in the Hungarian capital of Budapest, to service its existing European operations and scout for new investment opportunities. The group, with its wide-ranging interests in the hospitality, real estate, automotive, education and vehicle leasing sectors, plans to expand its enterprise reach in new European markets. AHG’s existing portfolio in Europe includes luxury hotels in London, Budapest and Vienna — Hilton London Wembley; InterContinental Budapest; The Ritz-Carlton Budapest; and Hotel Imperial, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Vienna — as well commercial and office properties Dorottya Udvar and Rumbach Centre in Budapest. The group has long considered the European market a sound investment destination, for its ease of doing business, risk-to-reward ratios and the vibrant economies of its various countries. In the past, AHG’s Founding Chairman Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor has praised the Hungarian and Austrian governments, crediting them with understanding the importance of foreign direct investment, provision of tax benefits and other incentives to both domestic and international investors. Along with its existing properties and operations in the UK and US, AHG now sees huge potential in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), thanks to its emerging economies, educated and skilled workforces, competitive costs, rapidly upgrading infrastructure, increasing consumer spending and lower inflation rates and corporate taxes. Al Habtoor, Founding Chairman, AHG said, “We have been very successful with our hotels and commercial properties here — which are prime and heritage assets — and look forward to upscaling our operations with other investments in the future. The less-explored markets in Europe are now gaining momentum, offering a competitive edge, an attractive investment climate and higher yield possibilities for foreign players.”

St. Regis Hotels and Resorts announced the opening of The St. Regis Dubai, Al Habtoor Polo Resort & Club. Owned by the Al Habtoor Group, the resort is feted as the first St. Regis property of its kind, promising exhilarating polo experiences combined with the brand’s iconic personalized service across 136 rooms and suites, 25 St. Regis branded villas and six culinary venues. The St. Regis Dubai, Al Habtoor Polo Resort & Club is set around four lush polo fields, approximately 25 minutes from Dubai’s Downtown area. The association between St. Regis and polo emerged at the turn of the 20th century, as both polo and The St. Regis New York were essential to New York’s vibrant summer social scene. Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, Founding Chairman, Al Habtoor Group, said: “The Al Habtoor Group creates luxury lifestyle destinations in Dubai. We are committed to growing with the UAE and promoting it as a tourism destination. The St. Regis Dubai, Al Habtoor Polo Resort & Club is a unique destination that will attract equestrian enthusiasts locally, regionally and internationally.” “Today we are proud to debut the first St. Regis polo resort in the brand’s history with the opening of The St. Regis Dubai, Al Habtoor Polo Resort & Club, featuring the bespoke service delivery for which the St. Regis brand is known,” said Alex Kyriakidis, President And Managing Director, Middle East and Africa, Marriott International. “This opening not only strengthens our collaboration with the Al Habtoor Group, but it also reinforces our leadership position in the United Arab Emirates and brand’s commitment to the ‘sport of kings’.”