Jumeirah Group will launch its new contemporary lifestyle brand, VENU Hotels, later this year when the company confirms the specific locations of its first set of hotels. The hotels will likely be located in the Middle East, Northern Africa, Eastern Europe, and Asia Pacific. The group also has signed on to manage 32 hotels, 10 of which are opening in 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, and Shanghai. The company hopes to have 60 hotels signed up by 2012, with 30 hotels open in 2013.