Fujairah hotels almost fully booked for new year

Almost all of Fujairah's seven major hotels and beach motels have been booked to nearly 90 per cent of their capacity for the new year celebrations.

Rajesh M., public relations officer at the new Le Meridien Al Aqqah Beach Resort, told Gulf News: "Two hundred out of a total 218 rooms of the Le Meridien Al Aqqah Beach Resort have been reserved by mainly European visitors and nationals, marking a very encouraging start of the new hotel's business."

The bookings have mainly come from Italians, Russians, Germans and British whose trips to the UAE are being managed by tour operators from Dubai.

Rajesh said although all rooms and suites are ready, the new hotel is still awaiting its official opening by His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Fujairah.

Talal Mahdi, sales executive at Al Diar Siji Hotel, said all their 100 rooms have been booked for new year's eve.

"Sixty per cent of the occupants are nationals and the other 40 per cent are Europeans. We are still expecting more Europeans to come from Sharjah and Dubai to attend the new year's eve party and stay overnight," said Mahdi.

Roman K., front office manager at the Fujairah Hilton Hotel, said the hotel's 92 rooms, chalets and suites have all been booked for the new year's celebrations.

"Our guests are mostly Europeans and we are still receiving some more customers."

The Ritz Plaza Hotel seems to be the only city hotel which has recorded only 50 per cent bookings of its 65 rooms.

"We still have around 35 rooms available which are expected to be booked and occupied within the next few days, bringing the total occupancy to 90 per cent on new year's eve," said Mia Patacsil, front office supervisor at the hotel.

The Sandy Beach Motel, popular with Europeans for its diving centre, has also recorded 100 per cent bookings for the new year.

All 40 residential rooms and 28 chalets have been fully booked.

The motel says 80 per cent of their clients are Europeans, who like to enjoy the moderate weather and the scenery afforded by the hotel's location on the beach.

The Fujairah Beach Motel and the Holiday Beach Motel have also recorded around 70 per cent bookings of their rooms and chalets. The majority of their clients are Indians, with some Europeans and Arabs.

All the establishments have planned elaborate celebrations to welcome in the new year.