Luxury hotel group Elisabetta Gucci has announced expansion plans for 40 hotels scheduled over the next 15 years in the Middle East and South America.

The group said it will unveil an 87-room luxury boutique hotel in Dubai this year and will open a second hotel in China 2011.

The hotelier has partnered with Abu Dhabi developer Baitek International Real Estate to develop the chain of hotels in the Gulf Arab region.

The group also intends to develop converted historic properties into hotels in Russia, China, Africa and Brazil.

Elisabetta Gucci said it will form a hotel management company in June to manage its hotels worldwide, according to Reuters.