Simply Abu Dhabi III

63 SIMPLY ABU DHABI GERALD LAWLESS EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN, JUMEIRAH GROUP Jumeirah Hotels & resorts have won several international travel and tourism awards and are considered amongst the most luxurious and pioneering hospitality providers in the world. Gerald Lawless joined the company in Dubai in 1997 as Managing Director after a 23-year career with Forte Hotels, which culminated in him setting up and growing Forte’s operations in the Middle East. Testament to his dedication to the industry, he established Forte’s Middle East office in Dubai in 1991, and oversaw growth in the region from three to twenty hotels in six years. Taking on the challenge of launching Burj Al Arab, one of the world’s most luxurious hotels, after the successful introduction of the Jumeirah Beach Hotel to an eager travelling public, Gerald Lawless quickly progressed to the position of CEO, then Executive Chairman of Jumeirah Group in January 1997. His remit was to develop a hospitality portfolio that would offer a totally unique experience. In keeping with this ambitious vision, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Wild Wadi Water Park, and Burj Al Arab quickly set the standard for the regional and international growth putting Dubai firmly on the international tourism map. Gerald Lawless is a forward thinking business visionary who has proved instrumental in building the reputation of the Jumeirah Group as one of the premier luxury hotel brands in the world. Lawless continues to drive the group’s impressive goal to become the most distinctive and innovative hospitality group in the world, expressed by the brand as “Jumeirah – STAY DIFFERENT™”. Jumeirah currently has 11 properties under management in Dubai, London and New York, with a dynamic schedule of new openings planned, especially in the Middle East and Asia, each offering the promise of ‘Stay Different’. The philosophy is that whenever a guest stays at a Jumeirah resort or uses any of the group’s services they should come away with a sense of the company spirit reflecting a caring and innovative personal service that sets them apart from the rest of the industry and offers something completely different. Gerald Lawless is a Graduate of Shannon College of Hotel Management in Ireland and holds an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Business Administration in Hospitality Management by the Johnson &Wales University, State of Rhode Island in the U.S.A. He is a member of the Executive Committee of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) and a fellow member of the Institute of Hospitality (formerly HCIMA). In addition, Gerald is a member of the Dubai Holding Executive Committee and Member of the Board of Trustees of the Emirates National Development Programme (ENDP). Gerald also serves as the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management. Prior to joining Jumeirah, Lawless spent 23 years with the Forte Hotels chain managing properties in the United Kingdom, South Africa, Ireland and the Caribbean – invaluable experience which has proved priceless in building the Jumeirah brand in Dubai and contributing to the tourism boom. Leading from the front to drive the growth and development of the Jumeirah Group, Gerald Lawless has been a truly influential player in helping achieve the aim to become a hospitality leader through establishing a world class portfolio of luxury hotels and resorts. For more information on Jumeirah please visit www.jumeirah.com

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