Dubai's JA Resorts invests AED300m in new multi-sport complex
JA Resorts & Hotels is investing more than AED300 million to develop a new multi-sport facility in Jebel Ali, Dubai, with phased openings expected to begin later this summer.
The JA Sports & Shooting Club will feature international-standard football and cricket grounds, an indoor shooting range, and integrated jogging and cycling tracks connected to the group's existing hotels — JA Lake View Hotel, JA Beach Hotel, and JA Palm Tree Court.
The football complex will include six floodlit, international-size pitches with skills training areas, home and away bases, and two 500-seat stands. The cricket facilities will include a full-size oval, professional training nets, and a 100-seat stand.
A 15,000 sqm indoor shooting range — the first of its kind in the region — is expected to open in early 2026. It will feature 25m and 50m pistol lanes and a 200m multifunctional shotgun and rifle range. A restaurant is also planned within the shooting facility.
The development is positioned to support professional teams and recreational users and will serve communities in the growing areas of Palm Jebel Ali and Dubai South.
'This landmark facility represents our vision to not only boost the sporting infrastructure of Dubai and the wider region, but also to contribute meaningfully to the UAE's hospitality sector,' said Tariq Baker, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Dutco, the project's owning company.
The project aligns with Dubai's Quality of Life Strategy 2033, which aims to enhance wellbeing in the emirate.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The National
13 hours ago
- The National
Recycling hotel soap to help communities in need
Discarded soap is collected from UAE hotels and recycled to be redistributed to people in need. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National
Zawya
2 days ago
- Zawya
Smart Stays: How tech is unlocking the future of travel?
Once a travel essential, the humble hotel keycard – that trusty sliver of plastic is fast becoming yesterday's news. For decades, it was your ticket to a good night's sleep and a hot shower, but in an age of instant everything, even keycards are getting left behind. As today's travellers demand more convenience, tighter security, and frictionless experiences, hotels around the world are ditching the old-school swipe in favour of smarter, sleeker tech. One of the driving forces behind this shift is the rise of mobile check-ins and digital keys, which allow guests to bypass the front desk entirely and use their smartphones to unlock their rooms. But as many hotel experts point out, it's not just about eliminating the check-in line; it's also about solving some of the age-old frustrations that come with using keycards. The Traditional Keycard Dilemma It's a scenario every traveller knows: you're jet-lagged, hauling bags, and dreaming of a hot shower but your hotel keycard refuses to work. Instant frustration. The culprit? More often than not, it's your smartphone. When you slide your keycard next to your phone, the magnetic fields can zap the data on the strip, leaving you locked out in the hallway. But phones aren't the only offenders. Credit cards, debit cards and even keychains can mess with your keycard. The result? A corrupted strip and a useless piece of plastic. Heat, moisture, and constant wear and tear only make things worse. Drop your card in a damp beach bag or sweaty pocket, and you're basically asking for trouble. Forget it in your room or lose it while out exploring, you have to head back to reception to ask for another one. Keycards may have served us well, but in a world of smarter tech and higher expectations, they're starting to feel more like a travel nuisance than a convenience. Digital Innovation Considering these recurring frustrations, hotel brands are embracing digital solutions to provide guests with a more reliable and seamless experience. While some properties are turning to digital room keys that can be accessed via smartphones, others, like the all-inclusive hospitality brand Club Med, are introducing digital wristbands as a more robust alternative to the traditional room key. Club Med's approach to this problem is grounded in a desire to offer guests a hassle-free and secure way to access their rooms, participate in activities, and even make purchases on property. The digital wristband is a key innovation in this transition, designed to be durable, waterproof, and capable of avoiding the common pitfalls associated with traditional keycards. Club Med's Managing Director, Olivier Perrilat-Piratoine, explained that with Club Med's new digital wristbands, guests can not only unlock their rooms but also pay for meals, shop for souvenirs, and even book activities, all without ever needing to touch a physical card. By shifting to a more integrated system, the brand is streamlining the guest experience and ensuring that the hassle of a malfunctioning keycard becomes a thing of the past. Why the Shift Matters This tech shift isn't just about ditching plastic – it's about security and next-level personalisation. Mobile keys and digital wristbands are encrypted and tied directly to your personal profile. Unlike old-school keycards, they're way harder to lose, clone, or misuse. But here's where it really gets smart: these tools don't just open doors. They open up your entire stay. With a tap on your phone or flick of a wristband, you can book a spa treatment, reserve dinner, adjust your room's temperature. All done in real time and tailored to you. It's seamless, it's slick, and it makes guests feel seen. That kind of personal touch? It builds loyalty and keeps people coming back. A Tech-Driven Revolution From self-check-ins to digital room keys, the shift away from traditional keycards is more than just a trend. It's a response to the changing expectations of modern travellers, offering a more streamlined, secure, and personalised stay. And for those who've experienced the frustration of keycards that fail at the worst possible moment, it's easy to see why these digital alternatives are being welcomed. While Club Med is leading the charge with its digital wristbands, this shift is part of a larger trend sweeping the hospitality industry. Many hotels are now incorporating smart tech into their rooms, such as voice-activated assistants, smart thermostats, and AI-powered concierges. These innovations help hoteliers cater to the growing demand for seamless, tech-driven experiences. As the hospitality industry continues to embrace new technologies, the days of fumbling for a keycard or dealing with demagnetised cards may soon be behind us and the future of hotel room access is shaping up to be much more secure, efficient, and seamless. And all without a key in sight.
Khaleej Times
3 days ago
- Khaleej Times
Dubai's Jumeirah Group on track to double its portfolio by 2030, says CEO
Dubai's hospitality giant Jumeirah Group is on track to double the size of its brand portfolio to 62 properties over the next five years, its chief executive said. 'Our ongoing ambition is to grow sustainably in key regional and international markets, and we are firmly on track to double the size of our brand portfolio by 2030. We are actively pursuing owner and operator agreements in major gateway cities and resort destinations, with a focus on Europe and the Americas,' said Thomas B. Meier. The group has 31 properties — 15 in the UAE and 16 internationally — across 13 countries in the Middle East, Europe, Asia and Africa, with a team of over 11,000 employees. At the end of 2024, Jumeirah marked its entry into Africa with the launch of Jumeirah Thanda Island in Tanzania and Jumeirah Thanda Safari in South Africa. In March 2025, it opened Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab. It also announced three new properties in Dubai — Jumeirah Asora Bay, a hotel and residences in La Mer South, and Jumeirah Residences Emirates Towers in the heart of the city. 'We are also expanding in Europe with Jumeirah Le Richemond Geneva, where a full renovation is currently underway, adding to our presence in Spain, Italy, and the United Kingdom. In the Middle East, our footprint is growing with the upcoming opening of Jumeirah The Red Sea in Saudi Arabia on Shura Island, featuring signature concepts such as SAL, Kayto, and Talise Spa, with both indoor and outdoor treatment rooms,' said Meier. The hospitality sector in the UAE and other major tourist hotspots saw strong growth due to the inflow of tourists due to 'revenge travel' in the post-pandemic period. Dubai received 18.72 million overnight visitors in 2024, an increase of over nine per cent, boosting occupancy levels across the emirate. 'Our focus is on luxury hospitality, but what I can say is that the UAE leadership has placed great emphasis on building Dubai as a tourism destination that welcomes a diversity of visitors,' added Meier. He noted that staycations and international tourism complement each other and play an important role in driving the performance of the local hospitality sector. 'Iconic properties like Jumeirah Burj Al Arab continue to attract strong interest from international travellers, and we expect that to remain the case. At the same time, the local community — both citizens and residents — play an increasingly important role. With a growing population, staycations are contributing not only to our occupancy but also to the performance of our F&B business,' said Jumeirah Group's chief executive. He said there is a 'growing demand for experiences that feel more personal, purposeful, and culturally connected.' He added travellers are also increasingly seeking experiences that support both physical and mental wellbeing.
