Christie + Co opens new MENA office in Dubai

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 22 March, 2011: Christie + Co, the leading hospitality business property advisor, has opened a new Middle East and North Africa (MENA) office in Dubai. The new office in Dubai Media City will serve as a hub, from where Christie + Co will provide consultancy and advisory services to clients throughout the Middle East and North Africa.

Christie + Co’s specialists have already advised on a number of Middle Eastern hotel projects as Managing Director Chris Day explains: “A number of our consultants have already undertaken various assignments across the MENA region and our new base will enable us to develop even stronger links with the hospitality business and investment community in the UAE and beyond.”

Gavin Samson and Emma Davey have been appointed to lead Christie + Co’s

initiatives in the region, providing clients with the same comprehensive range of advisory services that clients can expect from Christie + Co’s European specialists.

Typical services include individual property reviews and valuations, market and feasibility studies, brand surveys, operator search and selection, development advice, site assessments, investment deal structuring, and management contract and lease negotiation.

Jamal Al Sharif, Managing Director of Dubai Media City and Dubai Studio City, said: “The Middle East, especially the UAE, holds vital importance to global clients from all industries. This is a positive trend that has consistently attracted investments into the country.

“As a hub for industry majors and a central base for the MENA region, Dubai Media City, part of the TECOM Investments’ Media Cluster, continues to remain the preferred location of choice for companies to base their regional operations. We are confident Christie + Co will leverage the peer-network advantages that the cluster provides and contribute to the long-term growth of the sector.”

Gavin and Emma both have lifelong associations with the Middle East and

extensive hospitality sector expertise. Working on major hotel, tourism, real

estate and other advisory projects for a diverse array of companies and

institutions, they have more than 25 years’ consultancy experience in the Middle East and North Africa.

“Having worked in the MENA region during a period of rapid change and growth, Gavin and Emma have a deep understanding of the markets and we’re delighted that they agreed to join Christie + Co,” adds Day. “Their local knowledge, combined with the tools, methodologies and intelligence available through our wider network, will enable us to offer clients a unique value proposition.

“Our specialists work with clients throughout the project lifecycle and the advice we offer is always focused on maximising the value of opportunities and providing implementable solutions to complex problems. Clients in the MENA region will continue to receive the same unbiased, industry-leading advice and best-in-class quality of service for which Christie + Co is renowned across Europe.”