Al Habtoor Group is reportedly finalizing its decision to offer a portion of its hotel division for public subscription on the Dubai Financial Market, aiming to complete the move by the end of 2025. Rather than listing the entire group at once, the initial public offering (IPO) would be limited to its hotel business, with the possibility of bringing other group units to market in later phases.

Focused IPO on Hospitality Unit, Not Entire Group

Khalaf Al Habtoor has confirmed that the offering will be confined to the group’s hospitality arm—not the entire conglomerate. The group currently owns 14 hotels across the UAE and abroad. The hospitality sector is described as its fastest-growing division, making it a logical first step for the IPO.

This selective approach offers flexibility: if the hospitality listing succeeds, Al Habtoor may later extend public listings to its other lines of business.

Strong Investor Appetite from Europe & China

According to the announcement, several European and Chinese investors have already shown keen interest in participating in the potential IPO. Al Habtoor has emphasized that they are not seeking capital at any cost; rather, they want partners who can add value and align with their long-term vision.

Timing, Preparations & Next Steps

At present, no financial institutions or banks have been formally appointed to lead the IPO process. Such engagements are expected to follow once internal studies and consultations conclude. The final go/no-go decision is slated for later in 2025 after rigorous evaluation by the group and its advisors.

Rationale Behind the Move

Al Habtoor leaders point to a notable 20% growth in revenues across their core sectors this year, which reflects favorable market momentum in Dubai and the UAE at large. Listing the hospitality arm could help broaden the investor base while assisting the group’s ambitions to expand both domestically and internationally.

The real estate sector in Dubai, including commercial assets under Al Habtoor’s holdings, has also witnessed a substantial rise in demand and prices—further reinforcing confidence in the group’s trajectory.

Expansion Beyond Hotels

While the IPO will center initially on the hotel business, Al Habtoor is not limiting its ambitions there. The group is already exploring ventures in technology, artificial intelligence, infrastructure, transport, education, healthcare, and related sectors.

Internationally, the group has considered projects in Syria and Lebanon. However, due to prevailing instability, some investments in Lebanon have been curtailed. The group remains actively exploring opportunities in Syrian transport and infrastructure, conditional on favorable long-term agreements.

The proposed IPO of Al Habtoor’s hospitality portfolio is a measured step toward unlocking shareholder value and accessing deeper capital markets—while retaining flexibility to incorporate other business units later.