After celebrating unprecedented occupancy rates for Tower 1 during its inaugural year, the second tower of the JW Marriott Marquis Dubai has officially opened offering an additional 294 luxurious rooms, bringing the total room count to 1,098.

Once fully operational by the end of 2014 Tower 2 will comprise of 804 suites and rooms, bringing the total available suites and rooms to 1,608.

Owned by Emirates Group, the world’s tallest hotel originally opened in November 2012 and both towers are identical.

The suites and rooms of Tower 2 are contemporary and spacious, set to target the luxury business traveller and complemented by a new lounge which will build on the hotel’s current 14-strong portfolio of restaurants and lounges.

The new offering will feature a 72nd floor two tier function space which will appeal to events planners worldwide thanks to its breathtaking views of the Dubai skyline.

Commenting on the tower opening, Bill Keffer, hotel manager for the JW Marriott Marquis Dubai said: “The second tower opening has opened at an important time in Dubai’s development; recent reports from Dubai Tourism and Commerce Marketing predict that by 2020, Dubai will receive around 20 million visitors per year.

“This is due to the country’s growing prominence as a MICE destination on the world stage and the recent Expo 2020 win.

“In light of this we are confident our hotel is in a strong position to cater for the increased number of visitors, particularly because our conference and event facilities are equipped to host over 1,000 people to meet, dine and stay.”

Officially recognised as the world’s tallest hotel at a height of 355 metres, only 26 metres short of the Empire State Building, New York, the JW Marriott Marquis is Dubai’s first world-class convention and business destination hotel.

In 2013, the hotel won a total of 16 international industry and media awards for a combination of outstanding restaurants and lounges, architecture and design, and innovative business and convention facilities.

Serving both the business and leisure traveller, once fully open the two towers will offer 1,608 hotel suites and rooms, nine diverse restaurants, six lounges, the world-class Saray Spa and 8,500sqm of event space including two ballrooms.

Keffer added: “Dubai is an attractive destination for large scale conferences and events - an area the JW Marriott Marquis Dubai specialises in.

“Not only do we have the right facilities, we have a highly talented team made up of associates from all around the world meaning we are perfectly able to adapt to cultural needs; a key factor in today’s global economy.

“We believe our hotel has the right offering to help Dubai build upon its reputation as the premier global MICE destination.”

Located in the heart of Business Bay, minutes from Dubai World Trade Centre, the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre and close to Dubai International Airport, the JW Marriott Marquis resides in a prime location and is iconic in the Business Bay skyline.

The property will welcome the World Travel Awards Middle East Gala Ceremony later this year, with hundreds of industry leaders in attendance.