Dubai: Hoteliers in Dubai and Abu Dhabi have reported an increase in occupancy levels as scores of stranded airline passengers seek temporary accommodation.
Many people have had their flights to Europe cancelled as snow and freezing temperatures continue to cause chaos at some of the continent's busiest airports including London Heathrow, Paris Charles De Gaulle and Amsterdam Schiphol.
Emirates and Etihad Airways have resumed flights to the British capital following the reopening of Heathrow airport.
However, travellers have been warned to expect further disruption as freezing temperatures are forecast for much of the UK in the build-up to Christmas on Saturday.
Hussain Hachem, Cluster General Manager of Al Bustan Rotana and Al Murooj Rotana, said: "The heavy snow that has caused flight disruptions to and from London is an unfortunate scenario considering the festive holidays are in a few days' time.
"Sadly, people have been stranded here in Dubai following the cancellation of flights to London, and yes, we have welcomed guests whose flights are delayed for the past two days," he said.
"We are doing everything we can, however, to make the stay of the stranded guests staying in our hotel as comfortable as possible and we sincerely hope the travel ban gets lifted soon enough, in time for the holidays."
Proving their mettle
Guy Wilkinson, Partner and General Manager at Viability Management Consultants, said travel chaos gave hoteliers the opportunity to "shine and prove their mettle".
He said: "Obviously it is great news for hotels if their occupancy is up but not so great news for the airlines having to pay for the rooms.
"If passengers are getting put up in hotels, they are in a better position than the people having to sleep on terminal floors at airports across Europe," he said.
Hoteliers in Dubai and Abu Dhabi dealt with a large backlog of passengers following the delays caused by the volcanic ash cloud earlier this year. Several hotels received kudos for the way they handled passengers who were stranded in the UAE.
"In times of disruption like this, it is a great opportunity for hotels to shine and prove their mettle," Wilkinson said.
Darroch Crawford, Managing Director of Premier Inn Hotels, Middle East, said the Premier Inn at Dubai International Airport had been at full capacity for nine nights.
He said: "The run-up to Christmas is always a busy time for the hotel but since the snow disruption in Europe we have been running at full occupancy.
"We have had a number of walk-in customers looking for accommodation but we also work closely with numerous airlines, who are putting up passengers at their own expense," he said.
"We have generally found most customers to be quite accepting of the situation. Of course, they are disappointed and concerned ... but they are appreciative of the fact that we are constantly communicating and keeping them informed."
