The Rezidor Hotel Group, one of the fastest growing hotel companies in the world, is pleased to announce the signing of two new Radisson Blu hotels in International Media Production Zone (IMPZ) and Dubai Studio City, United Arab Emirates. The new signings made in partnership with renowned, Dubai-based, Bin Haider Group, follow Rezidor’s recent announcement that it will open 14 new hotels in the UAE by 2019, and part of expansion plans to have 100 hotels & 20,000 rooms in operation by 2020, across the Middle East.

Elie Younes, Executive Vice President & Chief Development Officer of The Rezidor Hotel Group said: “We are progressing our growth journey in the UAE where Dubai is a key primary market and welcome the Bin Haider Group to our business family’’.

The two new Radisson Blu hotels are set to open in two upcoming media zones in Dubai, designed to support corporate travelers and media professionals visiting and working in the Emirates. Both properties will further enhance the Radisson Blu brand presence, which already has strong association with media zones in Dubai.

Radisson Blu Hotel, International Media Production Zone (IMPZ), Dubai will feature 356 rooms, and, with construction already underway, has an anticipated opening date in Q1 2019. The hotel will hold a prominent location on Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, close to the newly opened Al Maktoum International Airport (Dubai World Central). The hotel’s interior design will incorporate the brand’s new “Blu Print” design scheme and facilities include two restaurants, a bar and significant meeting facilities to support the free zone’s businesses.

Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Studio City will be located in the southwest of Dubai, within Studio City. This up-and-coming district reflects the successful evolution of Dubai into various economic hubs across the emirate. The hotel will have 290 rooms, meeting & events facilities, restaurants and a nightclub. The hotel also is scheduled to open its doors in 2019.

“We believe the brand promise - iconic, sophisticated and stylish - of Radisson Blu perfectly complements the unique needs of the international media production industry that will be based in these two locations”, added Younes.

These developments support Dubai’s Tourism Vision for 2020 and the key objective of attracting 20 million visitors per year by 2020. Hotel development and tourism are central to Dubai’s economic growth and diversification. International Media Production Zone (IMPZ) is a free zone and freehold area attracting and supporting media production companies, international and regional publishing, printing and packaging industries. Dubai Studio City (DSC) is a global business community that provides cutting-edge facilities and services to companies across the broadcasting, film production, television, music and entertainment sectors.

2017 will also see the opening of The Rezidor Hotel Group’s most prominent property in Dubai in recent years. The highly anticipated Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Waterfront, a 432-room hotel with stunning views of Burj Khalifa and Dubai Water Canal, is set to open in Q2 of this year.

• END-

For further media information, please contact:

Stephen Kamat, Area Director PR & Communications Middle East & Turkey

stephen.kamat@carlsonrezidor.com

Lucie Cardona, Corporate Communications & PR Leader

lucie.cardona@carlsonrezidor.com

About Radisson Blu®

Radisson Blu® is one of the world’s leading hotel brands with nearly 300 hotels in operation in 69 countries and territories. Radisson Blu’s vibrant, contemporary and engaging hospitality is characterized by a unique Yes I Can!SM service philosophy, and all of its first class hotels offer a range of signature features that are empathetic to the challenges of modern travel, including the 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. Distinguished the world over as the brand with Hotels Designed to Say YES!SM, Radisson Blu offers a vivid visual celebration of leading-edge style where the delight is in the detail. Radisson Blu hotels are located in prime locations in major cities, airport gateways and leisure destinations across the world.

Radisson Blu is a part of Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, which also includes Quorvus Collection, Radisson®, Radisson RED, Park Plaza®, Park Inn® by Radisson and Country Inns & Suites By CarlsonSM. For reservations and more information visit, www.radissonblu.com. Connect with Radisson Blu on social media: @RadissonBlu on Twitter and Instagram and Facebook.com/RadissonBlu.

About The Rezidor Hotel Group

The Rezidor Hotel Group is one of the most dynamic hotel companies in the world and a member of the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group. The group features a portfolio of approximately 475 hotels in operation or under development with 104,000 rooms in more than 80 countries.

Rezidor operates the core brands Radisson Blu and Park Inn by Radisson in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), along with the Club CarlsonSM loyalty program for frequent hotel guests. In early 2014 and together with Carlson, Rezidor launched the new brands Radisson RED (lifestyle select) and Quorvus Collection (luxury). In 2016, Rezidor acquired 49% of prizeotel. Rezidor has an industry-leading Responsible Business Program and was named one the World's Most Ethical Companies by the US think-tank Ethisphere.

In November 2006, Rezidor was listed on the Nasdaq Stockholm, Sweden. HNA Tourism Group Co., Ltd.—a division of HNA Group Co., Ltd., a Fortune Global 500 company with operations across aviation, tourism, hospitality, finance, and online services among other sectors—has been the majority shareholder since December 2016.