On the first day of the Arabian Travel
Market, Emirates Hotels and Resorts announced a historic new project in
Mahe, Seychelles, slated to open in 2010 with an investment of US$253
million.This is the largest international investment by Emirates Hotels &
Resorts, and one of the largest-ever in the islands of Seychelles.

The joint agreement for the Emirates Cap Ternay Resort & Spa was signed
earlier today at the Emirates stand by HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed
Al-Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group and
Joseph Belmont, Vice-President and Minister for Tourism & Transport of
Seychelles. The agreement formalises Emirates’ commercial investment into
the development and the resort’s concept, while securing the rights to a
99-year land lease over the property.

 

Commenting on the project, Sheikh Ahmed said: “Seychelles is truly a
paradise and one of the worlds’ most beautiful locations. Our
development will enhance this paradise into an unforgettable destination
for discerning holidaymakers, especially environmentally-conscious
travellers keen to ensure responsible development. While the proposed
resort is large, it promises to be ecologically-sensitive in its design
and rival the best in the Indian Ocean. Emirates brings a wealth of
expertise to this project - with the airline, Emirates Holidays and
Emirates Hotels & Resorts all working in a synergistic manner to
leverage tourism opportunities.”

 

Vice President Joseph Belmont said: “We are delighted to partner with
Emirates, and we feel that this project will further realise the
incredible potential of this partnership. Their award-winning flagship
property, Emirates Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa, is recognised worldwide
for its service excellence, environmentally sustainable design, and its
real contributions to conservation, and that track record was hugely
important to us as our environment and natural beauty is the basis of our
entire industry. This inspires immense confidence, and we believe this
development will be a great boost to the industry as a whole, especially
as it will be an integrated resort with different
accommodation tiers for a diverse range of clientele. The Emirates Cap
Ternay concept plan, which is based on distinctive Seychellois
architecture, has been approved by our cabinet, and we believe it will be
a major asset to our destination.”

 

Emirates Hotels and Resorts will directly employ over 700 staff for the
resort’s operations, and provide training and career development to
Seychellois staff, as well as opportunities across all its properties.

 

Construction of the Emirates Cap Ternay Resort & Spa will commence in
2008, with the resort’s two distinct areas spread over 22 acres of land.
The main resort features 186 rooms planned for families and
budget-conscious travellers, and 230 deluxe rooms designed as
semi-detached, cottage-style complexes situated in landscaped beachfront
locations.

 

A private resort area, directly modelled on the exclusivity, standards and
luxury provided by the Emirates Al Maha Desert Resort and Spa, will
feature 15 water-bungalows, the first of their kind in Seychelles and
rivalling the best in the world. This area will also house 40
two-bedroom villas, each of over 150 square metres, and a Presidential
suite of over 600 square metres. The villas and the suite, each
featuring a private pool and deck, are located on a forested hillside with
ocean views over Baie Ternay Marine Sanctuary and Morne Seychellois
National Park, inarguably one of the most spectacular views in the world.

 

Guest rooms are located at various levels of the resort, with balconies
providing unobstructed views of the sea and surrounding forests. At the
heart of the site will be one of the largest swimming pools in the Indian
Ocean, covering six acres (2.5 hectares), and made up of a series of
cascading pools with a children’s pool, a pool bar, and smaller private
pools set into landscaped coves, all catering to different needs.

 

The Timeless Spa, first developed successfully at the Emirates Al Maha,
will be part of the Emirates Cap Ternay Resort & Spa, featuring 10 double
treatment rooms; eight specialist treatment rooms providing hydro and
related beauty therapies; gymnasium; and a specialist health-food
restaurant.

 

The resort will also develop a number of speciality restaurants,
entertainment facilities, children’s park, and a recreation area. Other
facilities include a dive centre, jetties and a variety of beach
activities.

 

Located at Baie Ternay, the Emirates Cap Ternay Resort & Spa is
positioned between steep-sided granite outcrops of the Matoopa Peninsula
and the Morne Seychellois National Park. Offering unparalleled views of
pristine beaches, forests and waterfalls, guests can participate in nature
walks and activities that showcase the country’s unique flora and fauna.

 

The resort design closely follows the conservation-orientated model set by
the flagship Emirates Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa and the Emirates Wolgan
Valley Resort & Spa. The resort will establish the first
feral-free wildlife reserve, with its 60-acres protecting many species
endemic to Seychelles. Emirates Hotels & Resorts is in discussions with
the Seychelles Ministry for Environment, to establish a Conservation Trust
aimed at identifying threatened species, and establishing a
long-term strategy for the management of ecosystems and the surrounding
marine environment.

 

Emirates Airline offers four weekly services to Seychelles, using an
Airbus A330-200 in a two-class configuration - 27 seats in Business and
251 in Economy. Seychelles is well-represented in the Emirates Holidays
World of Choice brochure, offering island-hopping, cruises and resort
stays on several islands. Seychelles is a popular destination, with
visitor numbers from the UAE more than doubling since the country’s entry
in the Emirates Holidays brochure.
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