JUMEIRAH, a Dubai-based luxury hospitality group, said yesterday in Shanghai that it plans to be operating five hotels in China by 2011.

The top-tier hotel management firm, which runs the renowned Burj Al Arab, claimed to be the world's most luxurious inn, will open its first flagship hotel in the Asia-Pacific region - the 338-room Jumeirah HanTang Xintiandi - in Shanghai on August 1, 2008, company officials said yesterday.

In addition to the Shanghai facility, the hotelier is also looking for other gateway cities in China such as Beijing, Guangzhou, Macau and Hong Kong to expand its Chinese presence.

Around the globe, Jumeirah plans to increase its portfolio to 57 hotels by 2011, among which 27 will be in the Middle East and Africa, 13 in Asia Pacific, nine in Europe and eight in America.

Founded in 1997, it current operates 10 hotels worldwide.