Hotel company seeks approval to build luxury resort

[Anthony]

The AP is reporting:

"SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) - A Dubai government-held company is seeking Bermuda's approval to build the wealthy British enclave's first new luxury resort in 35 years.

Construction of the high-end resort by Jumeirah Group, a hotel operator owned by state-owned Dubai Holding, will begin as soon as final planning approval is given to the proposed development, Cherie Whitter, director of Bermuda's tourism department, said Thursday.

"It's been quite a long time since we've had a new project," Whitter said of the hospitality company's proposed complex, which would be named the Jumeirah Southlands Resort and is expected to open in mid-2008 on the south shore of the British Atlantic territory.

Plans call for the resort to include 300 suites, five restaurants and bars, a spa and boutique shops.

It was not clear how long it might take to receive approval.

Whitter said local officials, including Premier Ewart Brown, are promoting Bermuda's potential to hotel developers and investors.

"The market is once again deemed interesting," she said."