"We have conceived two multi-million dollar hotel projects, one in the upcoming tourist Island Saadiyat and one a desert resort," said Shaikh Suroor bin Mohammed Al Nahyan while speaking to reporters, after signing a management contract with Jumeirah Group for the upcoming project Etihad Towers.

Shaikh Suroor expressed his confidence in Abu Dhabi's potential to become one of finest tourist destinations in the world, as with the launch of Etihad Airways the number of leisure travellers to the capital has seen a manifold rise in recent years.

The Dubai-based Jumeirah, part of Dubai Holding, which is already running 12 hotels in Dubai, London and New York signed a contract to manage the iconic new beach front development located in the posh Khalideya district.

The Dh3 billion project to be called Jumeirah Etihad Towers will feature several towers including a hotel, an office building and serviced residences as well as commercial and retail space.

The project mangement for the new development is handled by Hill International, the assigned architects for the project are DBI, while ACC is the main contractor. Scheduled to open late 2010, the 60-storey luxury hotel tower will comprise 400 rooms and suites as well as 200 fully serviced apartments varying from studios to one, two and three bedroom apartments. The development will include a high-end shopping boulevard, extensive conference and banquet facilities, a spa and sports and recreation facilities. The hotel would also have a private beach. Gerald Lawless, Executive Chairman of Jumeirah Group termed the project as a prestigious addition to group's growing portfolio of luxury hotels and resorts. " We are looking forward to bringing our renowned Jumeirah hospitality to Abu Dhabi for the first time, following the recent signing of management contracts for projects in Bermuda, Phuket and on Palm Jumeirah in Dubai."

Jumeirah's plans to expand its portfolio of hotels and resorts to 57 by 2011 are well under way with projects currently under development in Dubai, Aqaba, Doha, Phuket, Shanghai, Bermuda and London.