Jumeirah Group, the Dubai-based luxury hotel company and member of Dubai Holding, celebrates the victory of its global brand ambassador, golfer Rory McIlroy, in the US Open at the Congressional Country Club, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.

The 22-year-old Holywood-born McIlroy led the tournament from start to finish, the first player to do so since Tiger Woods in 2000.

During the tournament he reached 16 under par, the lowest under-par score in US Open history. 

Executive chairman of Jumeirah Group, Gerald Lawless said: “Rory is truly an inspiration.

“Since his win at Quail Hollow in the US last year and indeed his victory in the Dubai Desert Classic in 2009, he has continued to impress and inspire golf enthusiasts around the world and we are immensely proud that he carries the Jumeirah brand.”

Jumeirah Group

Jumeirah Group has sponsored McIlroy from the moment he turned professional in 2007. He extended his contract with Jumeirah in 2010 for a further three years

The luxury hotel group’s connection with the golfing prodigy originated from his hometown of Holywood in Northern Ireland, also home to one of Jumeirah Group’s chief financial officer, Alaister Murray.

Spotting his early talent, Jumeirah invested in the young golfer’s career and has followed it with passion ever since. 

A regular guest at Jumeirah properties around the world, McIlroy has also demonstrated his prowess off the golf course: trying his hand as a cook in Madinat Jumeirah’s steak restaurant MJ’s, on the new slides at Wild Wadi Waterpark and as a turtle handler at Burj Al Arab.

Gerald Lawless being interviewed by Breaking Travel News at WTTC 2011 Global Travel & Tourism Summit

Jumeirah

McIlroy’s victory in the United States is just the latest triumph for Dubai-based Jumeirah – which was celebrating a number of titles at the World Travel Awards earlier this year.

Madinat Jumeirah, for example, was recognised as the Middle East’s Leading Meetings & Conference Resort, while Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, Dubai, took the title of UAE’s Leading Spa Resort.

Gerald Lawless has also had cause to celebrate this year.

The executive chairman of Jumeirah Group was chosen as the recipient of the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference 2011 ‘Leadership Award’ for his success in driving the group forward in its ambition to become one of the most distinctive and innovative hospitality groups in the world.

Since joining in 1997 Lawless has played an integral role as it has built a world-class portfolio of hotels and resorts including Burj Al Arab, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Madinat Jumeirah and Jumeirah Emirates Towers in Dubai, Jumeirah Essex House in New York and Jumeirah Carlton Tower and Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel in London.

Jumeirah’s Burj al Arab has been voted World’s Leading Hotel by World Travel Awards for the past six years running

Among the most of exciting of these is the Burj Al Arab, which in its relatively short tenure on the Dubai coastline has become a symbol of Dubai, attracted international attention and awe.

The success of the property has been celebrated by Virtual World Internet, which has developed a virtual tour.

Jumeirah’s Zabeel Saray in Dubai has also received the exclusive treatment, with guests offered a chance to explore the property before setting foot outside their home.

In 2011 Jumeirah Group expects to open more than six new hotels, in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, the Maldives, Germany, Shanghai, Azerbaijan and Kuwait

Opening in September, the hotly-anticipated Jumeirah at Etihad Towers will bring a new level of luxury to Abu Dhabi

City.Mobi

Also in the Middle East today, City.Mobi is celebrating the success of its new guide to Dubai. 

City.Mobi offers the most comprehensive mobile travel guides available, with over 800 cities in 200 countries listed. Each is developed by the City.Mobi team to combine into a single global travel directory.

However, each city retains its own mobile identity via a dedicated domain. Already on offer are Brussels.Mobi, Paris.Mobi, Sanfrancisco.Mobi and Sydney.Mobi.

Dubai.Mobi is the latest in this illustrious line up, offering click to call functionality – which means no scribbling down telephone numbers.

Most entries are also linked to websites where users can quickly access more detailed information if needed.

Other key features include information on accommodation, restaurants, attractions, entertainment, nightlife, shopping, and transport.

City.Mobi guides include user reviews and traveller utilities such as a translation guide, currency converter, news and local weather guide.