The "remote work" visa is creating a new segment of inmates
Hotels expand "long-stay" offers
Ensuring health and safety standards followed by hotels has become a priority for guests.
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Hotels revealed that they recently expanded in offering promotional offers targeting guests from the local market, including offers for long-term accommodations, pointing out that the “remote work” visa initiative launched by the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing in Dubai (Dubai Tourism) contributed to The emergence of a new segment of guests.
She confirmed to "Emirates Today" that the "long-stay" packages meet the aspirations of guests who want to stay at fixed prices, with discounts on food services, and others that vary according to the periods of stay, noting that domestic tourism has recently witnessed great activity with the continuation of the closure procedures in Many countries of the world.
Tributary of revenue
In detail, the General Manager for the Middle East, Africa and India at the "Ascot Group of Hotels", Vincent Mikulis, said that long-stay guests are a major tributary of revenue, and accordingly, the group periodically launches seasonal promotions on "long stay" that suit every community, And hospitality market.
He added: “We see great importance for long-stay offers, especially after the global Coronavirus pandemic has brought into our lives a lot of change that has become natural over time, such as working from home, and the guests’ priorities have become to ensure health and safety standards, and the ability to do their work. Remotely within the hotel apartment easily and conveniently, with access to all means to achieve this ».
And Vincent continued: “The pandemic has created a state of uncertainty regarding international travel, which has prompted those in charge of the tourism and hotel sectors to promote internal tourism promotions and offers for long-term accommodations in the local market, and we are witnessing a great demand for long stays, which constitute 80% of reservations. We have, and we are continuing to serve the domestic market, along with achieving positive returns from short stays in our hotels in the region. ”
Exclusive offers
In addition, Haitham Omar, General Manager of "Al Jaddaf Rotana Hotel", said that since its opening in November of last year, the hotel has allocated exclusive offers for long stays, while the cost of accommodation starts from 7000 dirhams per month, and the guests benefiting from the offer get discounts on eating Meals in the hotel's restaurants.
He added, "We receive reservations from inside and outside the country at a time when domestic tourism in particular has recently witnessed great activity, with the continued closure in many countries of the world, and the preference for citizens and residents in the Emirates to spend their vacations inside the country," noting that government initiatives and campaigns It supported this activity, which raised occupancy rates in hotels and contributed to the revitalization of long stays as well.
He said: “Our long-stay reservations amount to 30% of the occupancy of hotel units allowed to be offered for residency, according to the latest government updates related to limiting the spread of the global pandemic. We focus on providing non-contact experiences and services, and intensive cleaning and sterilization practices approved by international experts, including "Guests are guaranteed to remain safe during their stay with us."
Exclusive packages
In turn, Perth Balls, General Manager of the "Barcelo Residence Dubai Marina Hotel" said that hotel apartments in the UAE have witnessed an increase in supply and demand over the past year, at a time when the hotel is witnessing a demand for long stays.
She added: “We offer exclusive stay packages according to the period of stay, while those looking for long-stay options can benefit from a variety of offers and discounts, starting with a 10% discount on stays for a period of three months, and 30% on monthly prices for stays that extend for six months or a year. ».
Perth stressed that domestic tourism has witnessed a great recovery during the last period. She said, "We receive a large number of guests from Abu Dhabi and the Northern Emirates, and we have a stable and positive occupancy rate."
The role of the pandemic
In the same context, Vice President of Commercial Services in Europe, the Middle East and Southwest Asia at the "Hayat Hotels Group", Genevieve Matheran, said that the group launched a long-stay package to meet the aspirations of guests wishing to stay at fixed rates, pointing out that the offer includes a discount 25% on restaurant meals within hotels.
She added, "The pandemic constituted a major impetus for promoting remote work, and led to major changes in lifestyle, work and entertainment, and this is what prompted us to launch the long-stay offer."
New slide
For his part, Chief Operating Officer of "InterContinental Hotels Group" for the Middle East and Africa, David Todd, affirmed that long-stay offers are still an important part of the group's portfolio, pointing out that the brands "Staybridge Suites" and "InterContinental Hotel Apartments", in particular, provide For guests a "home away from home" experience.
"These two brands attract a wide range of guests, including long-term businessmen, as well as residents who want to explore flexible living requirements in the short term," he added.
He explained that after the launch of the Dubai Tourism initiative to provide remote work visas for international travelers, this new segment of guests is also available in the group’s hotels.
Focus on domestic tourism
The general manager of "Al-Faisal Travel and Tourism Agency", Yassin Diab, said that hotels operating in the local market focus more on domestic tourism, indicating that hotel groups have expanded during the recent period in offering promotional offers intended for domestic tourists, including long-stay offers. .
Strong request
The General Manager of “The Dukes The Palm Hotel”, Tariq Madanat, said that the hotel launched a set of special offers and packages for the country's residents, including “long stay” that witnessed strong demand, which was positively reflected in the occupancy rates.
He pointed out that the percentage of long-term residents ranged between 30 and 40% of the total occupancy rates in the hotel.
• Domestic tourism has been experiencing lately great activity with the continued closure in many countries of the world.
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