Page 20 - RLIJune2026

INTERVIEW JA Mar Hall, Glasgow, Scotland

Home-Grown

Heritage

A proud hospitality brand founded in Dubai in 1981, JA Resorts & Hotels offers a distinctive collection of five-star
resorts and hotels across the UAE, the Maldives and the UK. In this interview, RLI takes the chance to sit down
with company CEO Ralph Porciani to discuss the evolution of the business over the last four and a half decades.

he Emirati hospitality brand JA Resorts & Hotels was Golf & Spa Resort and JA The Bruntsfield in Scotland,” highlights
established with the opening of JA Beach Hotel and JA Ralph Porciani, CEO of JA Resorts & Hotels. “Both properties
Hatta Fort Hotel in Dubai. Forty-five years later and it represent a natural extension of JA’s experience-led approach to
T has grown into an experience-led hospitality group with hospitality, combining strong local identity with thoughtful service
a portfolio spanning beach, mountain, city, island and heritage stays. and long-term investment.”
Their vision is to create nurturing hospitality experiences rooted Alongside this, the CEO comments that investment is underway
in generosity, authenticity and a true sense of place. As the company across the UAE portfolio through enhancements to guest
grows, the focus remains on staying true to their legacy while evolving experiences, leisure offerings and hospitality facilities, including
in line with modern guest expectations, from technology and the soon-to-open JA Sports and Shooting Club in Jebel Ali, which
sustainability to service culture and international expansion. will introduce a significant new sports and lifestyle dimension to
JA Resorts & Hotels operates a thoughtfully curated collection the destination. Looking further ahead, the immediate focus for the
across the UAE, Maldives and Scotland. In Dubai, the portfolio company is on strengthening the current portfolio and ensuring that
includes JA Beach Hotel, JA Palm Tree Court and JA Lake View recent additions are integrated thoughtfully.
Hotel at JA The Resort in Jebel Ali, alongside JA Hatta Fort Hotel, In terms of new markets, Porciani says that growth will be
JA Ocean View Hotel in JBR and The Manor by JA. In the Maldives, measured and intentional, with the focus on destinations that
the group operates JA Manafaru, while the recent addition of JA align with their values, where the brand can add genuine value
Mar Hall Golf & Spa Resort near Glasgow and JA The Bruntsfield in through experience-led hospitality, operational expertise and
Edinburgh marks JA’s entry into the UK market. respect for local character.
“We have recently expanded into the UK market with JA Mar Hall As the business strives to ensure a consistently positive guest

20 Retail & Leisure International June 2026