On A High: Alcohol-Free Holidays

Where alcohol-free hotels were once just a small blip in Dubai's hospitality sector, the concept is fast gaining popularity today.

Less than two years ago, PR representatives complained they were unable to underline a hotel's dry status for fear of alienating guests.

"The hotel manager made it clear they didn't want their dry status to be highlighted in any of our releases," a PR manager told XPRESS. "They were concerned that it was a turn-off, especially for Europeans."

However, the trend is changing, says Guy Wilkinson, a partner in Gloster Management Consultants which follows Dubai's hospitality sector.

"After September 11, a lot has changed. Many Muslim and Arab investors in the West came back and started to invest in change. Arabs and Muslims felt less trusted [abroad] and felt more solidarity here," he says.

"And as a result, a lot of dry hotels are in line with Islamic beliefs. Compliant hotels and Arab architecture are becoming style statements and developers have seen that in a strong market it doesn't matter if a hotel is dry or not," says Wilkinson.

The Taj Palace Hotel was one of the first to take up the dry concept. "The decision was taken by the owners following Islamic customs and traditions," says Ahmad Hashweh, the hotel's financial controller. "The concept has definitely gained over the past couple of years and has added value to the hotel. Also, new hotels are following this trend as there is a demand."

Tamani Hotels, owned by the Al Rostamani family, as well as the Kempinski-operated Shaza Hotels are two of the most recent entries into the dry-hotel market.

Alain Guernier, CEO of Tamani Hotels and Resorts, recently said that the Tamani dry concept has been well received.

"The wholesomeness of the concept and Tamani's Islamic values are well placed in the public's perception and very much welcomed," he said.

Shaikh Mohammad Bin Faisal Al Qasimi, Vice Chairman of Coral International Hotels and Resorts, believes that the concept is not limited to the Middle East. "The dry concept can definitely go abroad. In the UK and Europe, a safe environment is limitless. In fact, we have Western travellers who insist on staying with us because we are dry."

He adds: "The idea for Coral Hotels is to cater to a family environment. Families want to keep their kids in an alcohol-free place."

What makes a business Sharia-compliant?

Sharia Law investment does not include ‘riba' which refers to delaying the payment of debt in return for interest. Sharia- compliant investment funds must not lend to properties or companies that are involved in alcohol, cinema, tobacco, pornography, gambling, pork, arms or conventional financial services.

Source: The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors