Dubai hotel sector makes rapid strides

The number of hotels in Dubai has continuously been on the rise over the years, according to the recently published Statistical Yearbook 2000 by Dubai Municipality.

In 1996, there were 233 hotels, 246 in 1997, 258 in 1998 and 254 in 1999. Total number of hotels in 2000 was 265.

There was also an increase in the number of beds and rooms. In 2000, there were 20,315 rooms and 33,364 beds as compared to 1996 when there were 13,319 rooms and 23,797 beds.

Room occupancy stood at 61.2 per cent in 2000. It has roughly averaged 60-65 per cent between 1996-2000. It was slightly higher in 1996 when occupancy rate was 66.8 per cent.

In 2000, there were a total of 2,83 million hotel guests who spent 7,117,451 nights, according to the yearbook, whereas in 1996, these were 1,76 million guests and 4,564,472 nights.

Of all hotel guests, the highest percentage were Europeans. They constituted 30 per cent in 2000. In second place came those from Asian and African countries (27 per cent) and third GCC nationals (21 per cent).

UAE nationals take a share of 7 per cent. The number of nights spent also corresponds with this break up. Of all nights spent in hotels, Europeans' share was 40 per cent. Asian and Africans followed with 26 per cent and finally GCC nationals with 16 per cent. UAE nationals' share was 5 per cent.

The percentages of the nationality of guests and their share do not differ in the break up compared to 1996. The numbers are relatively similar or close to those in 2000.

The yearbook also breaks up hotels into different classifications. The most is taken by what is labelled as 'listed' (0-star) with a total of 102 hotels. This is a share of 38.5 per cent of the total number of hotels.

This is followed by 1-star hotels with 46 (15.5 per cent) and in the third place are 2-star hotels with 41 (15.5 per cent). The least are 5-star hotels with a total of 22 hotels (8 per cent).

But the number of beds is not distributed accordingly. Most beds are in 5-star hotels where they constitute 33.5 per cent of all available beds. Four-star hotels come in second place (14.5 per cent), and in third place 'Listed' hotels (14 per cent).

The highest rate of room occupancy was in 5-star hotels (73 per cent).

The highest rate of bed occupancy was also in 5-star hotels (77.5 per cent). The overall general room occupancy rate was 61.21 per cent and the bed occupancy rate 57.9 per cent.

Of all the guests staying in hotels in 2000, most stayed in 5-star hotels. They constituted 31 per cent of all guests. This is followed by 3-star hotels (20 per cent).

In addition, different nationalities spent a different number of nights and in certain hotels. For instance, of all UAE nationals guests, 51 per cent stayed in 5-star hotels for a total of 181,101 nights.

GCC nationals mainly stayed in the 'Listed' hotels. Their share was 27 per cent for a total of 268,050 nights. The second place where they stayed the most was in 5-star hotels with a share of 23 per cent.

But what is interesting is that GCC nationals spent more nights in 5-star hotels regardless of the fact that most of them stayed in 'Listed' hotels.

Most Africans and Asians stayed in 3-star hotels (25 per cent) for a total of 416,069 nights.

Most Europeans stayed in 5-star hotels (47 per cent) for a total of 1,440,012 nights. Those coming from the Americas (48.5 per cent) also spent a total of 130,278 nights in 5-star hotels.

Forty-two per cent of Oceania's guest spent most of their stay in 4-star hotels. The total number of nights was 23,502. Yet, this was followed closely by 5-star hotels (39 per cent). They take up a higher share of nights spent.

A high number of Arab nationals (26 per cent) stayed in 5-star hotels. They stayed for 185,460 nights.

The average length of stay regardless of nationality is 2.5 days. Europeans stayed the longest with an average of 3.4 days. Asians and Africans followed with an average of 2.7 days.

Hotel revenue has also increased over the years. In 2000, the total revenue was Dh2,66 million. In 1996, the total revenue was Dh1,68 million.

Another type of hotels, according to the statistical yearbook, is hotel apartments. They total 128. They are categorised into three: deluxe, standard and listed. The largest type is 'Listed' (54 per cent).

But most of the flats available are in the 'Standard' category. They take up a share of 51 per cent of the total number of available flats.

But what is interesting is that of all the three categories of hotel apartments, the most occupied were the deluxe apartments. Of the 6,533 flats available, occupation of the deluxe type reached 81 per cent in 2000. The overall flat occupancy rate stood at 65 per cent.

There were a total of 584,471 guests in hotel apartments who stayed for a total of 1,681,569 nights. Most guests (36.5 per cent) stayed in the 'Listed' type of apartments. But most nights (42 per cent) were spent in 'Standard' apartments. GCC nationals occupied most apartments. The figure was a total of 168,493 guests for 385,597 nights.

They take a share of 29 per cent compared to other nationalities. This was followed closely by Asian and African nationals (23.5 per cent). In the third place are UAE nationals with a share of 16.5 per cent.

The highest number of nights spent in hotel apartments was by Asian and African nationals - a total of 423,006 nights. Europeans come next with 409,022 nights. At third place are GCC nationals with a total of 385,597 nights.

Each nationality has a preference in which hotel apartments to stay in. For example, 37 per cent of all UAE nationals who stayed in hotel apartments stayed in 'standard' ones for a total of 67,383 nights. The number of nights spent in deluxe apartments takes a precedent though. It totals 68,058 nights.

Most GCC nationals (47 per cent) stayed in 'Listed' apartments for a total of 137,454 nights. Here also, another category registers a higher number of nights spent. GCC nationals spent a total of 163,569 nights in 'Standard' apartments.

Arab nationals (41 per cent) used 'Listed' apartments for a total of 56,236 nights. Here there is also a discrepancy where the most nights were spent in 'Standard' apartments. These totalled 96,300.

Asian and African nationals (38 per cent) mostly used 'Listed' apartments for a total of 56,236 nights. Europeans (47 per cent) stayed in deluxe apartments (total of 159,733 nights). Those from the Americas (61.5 per cent) also used the same type of apartment for a total of 49,059 nights. Finally, those from Oceania (58.5 per cent) also spent most of their stay in deluxe apartments for a total of 11,001 nights.

Overall, those from Oceania top the list for spending the most nights in hotel apartments, with an average of 6.9 nights. Those from the Americas come in second place with an average stay of 5.3 nights. Europeans followed closely with an average stay of 4.3 nights.

The least was spent by UAE nationals with an average stay of 1.8 nights. Overall, people from Oceania spent the highest number of nights in the different categories of hotel apartments. Most nights were spent