The Dubai-based Jumeirah Group has announced the creation of a new brand called VENU Hotels.

Planned to be a contemporary lifestyle hotel offer, it will be launched later this year when the company confirms the locations of its first set of hotels. Jumeirah is said to be in the advanced stages of negotiations with developers interested in opening VENU-branded properties in the Middle East, north Africa, eastern Europe and Asia-Pacific regions.

Gerald Lawless, executive chair of Jumeirah Group, said: "VENU Hotels will, when launched, fulfil a clear market need and one that is highly complementary to the Jumeirah Hotels and Resorts brand." Further developments at the group will see it opening at least 10 new hotels within the next 18 months, including Jumeirah Frankfurt, Jumeirah Messilah Beach in Kuwait, two hotels in the Maldives, Jumeirah Etihad Towers in Abu Dhabi, as well as properties in Al Ain, Dubai, Shanghai and others to be confirmed.