Hotel officials: The emirate tops the list of countries and regions most attractive to tourists
Dubai maintains its global position as a "safe destination"
The success of the vaccination process will be essential to boost travelers' confidence.
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Dubai provides enjoyable tourism activities without the need to spend large sums of money.
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Officials in the hotel sector said that Dubai maintained the stability of the tourism and hospitality sectors during the Corona virus pandemic, recording occupancy rates that are the highest in the world, and innovatively succeeded in maintaining its strong global position as a “safe destination”, and topped the list of the most attractive countries and regions. For tourists from all over the world, due to its ingredients that combine comfort, entertainment and tourism at the same time.
And they stressed to "Emirates Today", on the sidelines of participation in the Arab Travel Market 2021, that the success of the vaccination process will be essential to enhance the confidence of any traveler who wishes to repeat his visit, noting that the offers are affordable, and accommodation packages that include a wide range of benefits with Added value, contributed to creating a potential market that attracts visitors to Dubai with limited budgets as well.
The success of the vaccination
Paul Dalglish, Vice President of Revenue, Sales and Distribution at Hayat Hotels Group, said, “Dubai has maintained the stability of the tourism and hospitality sectors, and has remained, according to STR, a company specialized in hotel studies and research, among the best performing hotel markets around ». The world, with occupancy rates and rates recovering faster than other markets, and across the various hotel sectors.
He revealed that the group launched the long-stay package, to meet the increasing demand for long stays abroad while working remotely.
Dalglish added, "The government's response came very quickly under unique circumstances, through a set of organized processes and protocols related to hygiene and worker safety."
He continued: “Thanks to the careful planning of air traffic, and the levels of hygiene and safety in the services on board the aircraft, most borders remained open wherever possible, while enhancing the confidence of the global traveler throughout the period of the pandemic, and here it must be said that the success of the national vaccination program in the UAE will help The state is fully to benefit from the continuous recovery ».
Dalglish stressed that the success of the vaccination process will be essential to enhance the confidence of any traveler who wishes to repeat his visit to the country, pointing out that with constant attention to hygiene protocols, guests will feel comfortable when they are in the city.
He explained that, "since the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing in Dubai offers innovative activities and initiatives, residents and foreign visitors alike can experience the best of the emirate without any feeling of anxiety, while following world-class safety and hygiene measures in various aspects of their trips."
Open borders
In turn, Colin Baker, the regional managing director in the Middle East for the Staywell hospitality group, said that “reports issued by the UAE Ministry of Economy reveal that the country's hotels were the second busiest hotels in the world after China during 2020, primarily due to The unremitting efforts made by the UAE government to contain the spread of the (Covid-19) pandemic while encouraging domestic tourism, and taking the necessary measures to accelerate the pace of recovery of the hotel sector.
He pointed out that the country received 14.8 million tourists who spent an average of 3.7 hotel nights in 1089 hotels during 2020, with a hotel occupancy rate of 54.7%, according to data from the World Tourism Organization and the Emirates Tourism Council.
He continued: “We have witnessed positive impacts on domestic travelers as a result of the innovation and flexibility shown by the UAE government, as part of its efforts to provide incentives, launch initiatives, and create appropriate opportunities to accelerate the pace of the tourism sector’s recovery through our hotels in the country, with a significant increase in the number of guests, most of them from Other emirates outside Dubai ».
Baker said, “Dubai’s decision to keep its borders open during the pandemic is one of the most important factors contributing to supporting the hotel sector during these difficult times, as well as launching promotional campaigns, such as the“ The Most Beautiful Winter in the World ”campaign, which contributed to revitalizing domestic tourism and raising Occupancy rates, the launch of the unified Emirati tourist identity, the formation of the Emirates Tourism Council, in addition to the decisions to create a virtual work residence permit, and the multi-entry tourist visa that was recently issued, all of which contribute to advancing tourism and raising occupancy.
Protocols and Presentations
Baker added: “This was accompanied by the application of strict health and hygiene protocols, which have greatly contributed to reassuring travelers that high levels of safety are available when visiting Dubai.
As it presents the image of a city that adheres to the highest health and safety standards in force globally, these steps have succeeded in making the UAE a prime choice for business and leisure guests, which is clearly reflected in the hotel occupancy rates in the UAE being ranked second in the world.
Baker pointed out that the product and service offerings in Dubai outperform their counterparts in most other markets around the world, as a result of the high demand for its hotel offerings, noting that while Dubai is still famous for providing luxury accommodation experiences, the affordable accommodation experiences it provides were Main focus during the pandemic period.
He emphasized that factors such as the large inventory of rooms, and the effects of the pandemic on the number of visitors, enabled hotels to unleash creative ideas through their various offerings, and to promote many value-added accommodation packages, which were well received by the main markets at the international and local levels.
"The spotlight that sheds light on affordable offers and accommodation packages that include a wide range of value-added benefits has created a potential market for visitors to Dubai with limited budgets," he added, noting that these offers sent a clear message that all people are capable. To enjoy unforgettable experiences, stay in world-class hotels, and practice the myriad of enjoyable tourism activities that Dubai provides without spending huge sums.
Quick response
In addition, Jose Canalz, managing director general and general manager of the Barcelo Hotels Group in the Middle East and Asia, said that, "Thanks to the rapid response of the Dubai government, business has gradually returned to normal in the city." After pre-pandemic rates in terms of hotel room occupancy, we have seen a steady and slow rise in occupancy rates, compared to global markets that are still subject to travel restrictions and total closures.
He pointed out that although the restrictions imposed on international travel had a great impact on the hospitality sector, Dubai has succeeded in innovatively in maintaining its strong global position as a "safe destination", pointing out that the Dubai government has supported the hospitality sector by highlighting local tourism, And launching effective campaigns such as the "The Most Beautiful Winter in the World" initiative.
He continued: “These campaigns had an impact on local tourism, so the demand increased, for example, for (long stays), and for spending holidays inside the country,” noting that since the beginning of the pandemic, the promotion of protocols for the welfare and safety of guests has been fully highlighted, at a time when he witnessed The hospitality sector is an increase in the implementation of preventive measures for health and safety, in addition to providing guests with the best amenities and flexibility available, and this can be clearly seen, through the increased demand for non-contact solutions.
Canalz pointed out that the expected new projects are in line with “Dubai Vision 2030” and “Dubai Urban Plan 2040”, which define a framework for mega projects and initiatives that focus on developing sustainable infrastructure in Dubai, stressing that the Dubai market is at the forefront of innovation and technologies, and this is what makes Dubai, as a world-famous tourist destination, is an ideal candidate, and the best example is the Expo 2020 Dubai, where the emirate rapidly developed the infrastructure surrounding the exhibition site, proving its intention to transform into a global center for technology and innovation.
Most attractive
In the same context, Mamoun Humaidan, general manager of the company "Wego", which specializes in the sector of travel services and online reservations for the Middle East, North Africa and India, said, “Dubai topped the list of countries and regions that attract the most tourists from all over the world, because of its potentials that combine Between comfort, entertainment and tourism at the same time ».
He added, "The success of the tourism sector in the UAE is a model for many countries to emulate, especially as the UAE has been able to strengthen its position on the global travel and tourism map, to become one of the most important and largest global tourist destinations."
Humaidan confirmed that Dubai topped hotel reservations during the pandemic in domestic and international tourism as well, pointing out that the country's efforts to control the pandemic were unparalleled, and strengthened travelers' confidence, at a time when hotels followed the highest safety standards to ensure a safe experience for all travelers, and provided distinctive packages. For all family members, with facilities and flexibility for reservations, and cancellations, which contributed to the increase in demand for hotel reservations.
He continued: “We witnessed through our website an increase in bookings for business tourism to Dubai last March, as reservations increased by 19% compared to the previous month, at a time when we expect business travel bookings to witness a remarkable recovery with the approaching date of (Expo 2020 Dubai), And continue events and conferences in the region ».
Domestic tourism
As for the General Manager of "Ascot" Ltd. in the Middle East, Africa and India, Vincent Mikulis, he said: "The Dubai government has made efforts that deserve to be commended in the context of its response to the pandemic, as the national vaccination and sterilization programs have resulted in a gradual return to business activities and markets."
He added: “It is expected that (Dubai Vision 2030) and (Dubai Urban Plan 2040) will positively affect the flow of travelers to the city,” stressing that the market is ready for these projects, especially in light of the large events and exhibitions that the UAE is preparing to host in the near future.
Mikulis pointed out that Dubai Tourism has focused its efforts on promoting local tourism, by launching a number of campaigns, such as the "The Most Beautiful Winter in the World" campaign to encourage residents and citizens to safely explore tourist attractions in the city, while adhering to local health and safety regulations. He stressed that these campaigns, in turn, boosted the offers for vacationing in the country and offers for long stays, which supported the continuation of the hospitality sector in the country.
Recovery movement
Since July 2020, Dubai has witnessed a growth in the tourism sector, receiving more than 1.7 million visitors between July and December 2020. The number of international visitors increased from 40,000 in July 2020 to 560,000 last December, representing 33% of the total number of arrivals in the same month. From 2019.
According to the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, the recovery movement and the increase in the number of visitors in the second half of 2020 reflected the effectiveness of the approach taken by Dubai in overcoming this unprecedented challenge, and allowed it to continue this momentum in 2021, in which it received more than 1.26 million international visitors. During the first quarter.
"Hyatt Centric" in "La Mer"
Paul Dalglish, Vice President of Revenue, Sales and Distribution at Hayat Hotels Group, said, “In the UAE, Hayat has six brands, and more than 3,500 hotel rooms.”
He revealed cooperation with "wasl hospitality" company to launch a new brand, "Hyatt Centric", in "La Mer" later this year, pointing out that the hotel will be the first for the "Hyatt Centric" brand in the region.
17.4 thousand new hotel rooms
The regional managing director in the Middle East for the "Staywell" hospitality group, Colin Baker, revealed that the research study for the first quarter of 2021, conducted by "Jones Lang LaSalle" real estate consultancy and research (JLL), expected the addition of 16 thousand rooms. New hotel hotels in Dubai and 1,400 hotel rooms in Abu Dhabi during 2021.
The new units will meet the levels of demand in underserved locations at the present time, while this represents a suitable opportunity for guests to collect a wider choice of hotel accommodation packages in the market.
But on the other hand, this matter will generate pressure on the occupancy levels of all hotels, and more pressure on the average daily price of the hotel room, as expectations issued by sector experts indicate that the average daily price will not return to 2019 levels, before 2023 or even 2024. Earliest estimate.
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