Some hotels in the city are expecting occupancy levels between 70 and 90 per cent as a result of special summer packages for regional travellers and the Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) retail promotion that starts today and runs until September 5.
“DSS has been one of the main pillars that supports Dubai tourism and helps increase stopovers by passengers crossing the globe. This year too, DSS will produce a substantial occupancy push for the hospitality sector,” says Peter Mansourian, General Manager, Grand Millennium Dubai.
Hotels across the city are offering special packages aimed at travellers from GCC countries as well as China and Europe.
“DSS is an interesting time for families, food connoisseurs and leisure travellers to visit Dubai, considering all the fantastic promotions on offer — from dining and shopping to relaxation and more. Hence it boosts tourism, which, in turn, generally increases the occupancy levels in hotels,” says Hussein Hachem, Cluster General Manager, Al Bustan Rotana Dubai and Al Murooj Rotana Dubai, which are both expected to be running near capacity.
“At Al Bustan Rotana, we expect occupancy of 85 per cent, while Al Murooj Rotana is expected to be at 90 per cent this month,” Hachem adds.
The Dusit Thani Dubai, on Shaikh Zayed Road, is also expecting similar figures. Kishore Sathar, Director of Revenue Management at the hotel, puts expected occupancy at 90 per cent this month. “As business travel slows down during summer, DSS helps to maintain occupancy and rates throughout the period,” he says.
Summer is traditionally a slow season for Dubai’s hotels and special packages are offered at many properties every year.
Occupancy levels also get a boost when hotels are near malls. “Our location, being in close proximity to Dubai Mall, attracts people to Dusit Thani Dubai,” says Sathar. Hotels that are further away simply offer mall vouchers or free shuttle buses to malls.
Neighbouring countries will be the prime source market for Dubai hotels this year, but some properties want to reach out to new markets. “Summer has always been a favourite season for GCC guests to visit Dubai and I believe this will continue to be the trend this August, with tourists from Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar and Oman,” says Hachem.
“We have observed a significant influx of Chinese, Indian, Russian and European guests as leisure travellers throughout the earlier part of the year and we are expecting them during the DSS as well, which provides great offers .”
Mansourian feels that Eastern Europeans are also expected to favour Dubai this summer. “Russian-speaking tourists enjoy the shopping spree and their time in Dubai as they are eager to visit the emirate for a summer vacation and make use of the lavish discounts,” he says. ■
