After business, it's the beach

After a long day negotiating deals, making presentations and charming potential clients, it seems that business travellers are increasingly looking to relax by Dubai's beach after work.

In the past year, the overall average of business travellers at the Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort and Marina has grown by about 15 per cent.

Currently, the hotel has a split of 60 per cent leisure and 40 per cent business travellers. The hotel is pleased with the emerging business traveller market because it is so reliable.

"For the three years this hotel has been open, I think we have nearly always stayed full. We have made a conscious effort to tie up with business travellers," said Michael Scully, general manager, Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort and Marina.

"The hotel is made up of an overall split of 60 per cent leisure travellers and 40 per cent business. Before this we were about 75 per cent leisure and 25 business."

Scully believes the hotel has now reached a "happy medium".

The advantage of drawing in business travellers is the "reliable business and the revenue from associated product launches and client entertainment", he said.

Most of the hotel's business travellers come from Europe, the GCC and then from other countries in the region.

Close to Dubai Media City, Dubai Internet City, Sheikh Zayed Road and Jebel Ali Free Zone, the hotel also offers a relaxing environment, added Scully.

"The advantage for business people staying in a resort property is that they can have total relaxation. As people are not working all the time, they can go for a walk on the beach, have a swim, go to the gym or sit outdoors.

"There is nothing better, in the morning, than getting up for a walk on the beach."

On average, leisure travellers tend to spend more at the hotel than independent business guests. However, the conference business market clientele are the biggest spenders.

While the number of business travellers to the beach hotel is on the rise, the hotel has also experienced large demand from the leisure market during summer.

"We have been very lucky this summer - we have had 100 per cent occupancy all month. There were three days that were a bit low but with the school holidays in the UK we have been very busy.

"In June, July and August we have been close to full most of the time. Occupancy has ranged between 90 per cent and 100 per cent."

Scully said that in August, about 50 per cent of the guests at the hotel were in Dubai on business.

"In June, July and August there was a strong business traveller element at the hotel. August is traditionally UK school holiday time so we get lots of visitors from the UK, and at this time the amount of business travellers is usually a bit lower as most people in Dubai are also away on holidays.

"But now it is September the normal amount of business travellers are coming back."