Upcoming Media One targets 70% occupancy in 2010

Media One Hotel, set to open in October, is targeting occupancies of about 70 per cent in 2010, the recently appointed general manager of the hotel said.

Cora De Conceicao-Stuart, who has taken over as General Manager of this new four-star hotel located in Dubai Media City, told Emirates Business: "Since it is a new property with all the facilities, the revenue per available room, an industry benchmark, would be comparable to the industry standards."

The 216-room hotel occupies the first 23 floors and is a mixed-use development consisting also of offices. Media One is owned by Al Jaber group and is located in Dubai Media City.

As General Manager, De Conceicao-Stuart will be responsible for the pre-opening phase through to opening and onward operations.

She said: "Most of the senior staff positions have been filled. The final touches are being given to furnishings and fittings, and marketing collateral is being produced."

Speaking about her new position, De Conceicao-Stuart said: "I was attracted to the opportunity of being part of Media One not only because it is a new hotel opening but also because we are launching a new brand. Media One is going to be a very new and fresh alternative within the hotel and hospitality sector here in Dubai."

A graduate of The Singapore Hotel Training and Education Centre, De Conceicao-Stuart's career began at The Westin Stamford and The Westin Plaza in Singapore where she held varied sales positions.

From here she moved to the Shangri-La Hotel as assistant director of sales before embarking on a 10-year career path with Ritz-Carlton Hotels in Singapore, Boston and Bahrain.

In 2006, she played an instrumental role in the pre-opening and opening of the Bulgari Bali Hotel before becoming the Hotel Manager at The Address Hotels & Resorts, Downtown Burj Dubai.

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