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Festive Season Brings in Business for Hotels

Top executives of the industry spoke to Khaleej Times about the success rates they have had so far during this festive season.

Antony Wade, deputy general manager of Sheraton Dubai Creek Hotel & Towers, said the Christmas and New Year festivities have been doing great to the hotels with a full occupancy 
for New Year.

He said, “We are fully booked for our Christmas brunch. Our dinner reservations are also very popular due to the amazing creek view from our restaurants. As for New Year, our hotel in on full occupancy, therefore we are expecting a full house for our New Year’s Eve banquet celebrations in our ballroom. This is great news for us and it certainly indicates that the demand is there despite the soft economic climate. Even our restaurants are enjoying steady patronage by local Dubai residents,” he added.

Deeksha Trivedi, director, Sales & Marketing of Sheraton Dubai Creek Hotel & Towers, said business in hotels is much stronger this holiday. “Our rates have been reduced year-on-year to meet the current market demands. For this festive season, we are working very closely with travel agents and the early bird promotions, which we ran earlier, are working well for us.”

Naeem Darkazally, area director of Sales and Marketing of Rotana - Dubai and Northern Emirates, said, “The business forecast for this festive season is very positive this year and in line with what we have achieved in the previous season in 2008.”

Darkazally said the Rotana hotels started early this year and is aggressively in promoting 13 properties 
in Dubai.

Leon Salinel, director of Sales and Marketing at Dusit Thani Dubai said the hotel is experiencing a steady increase in the number of guests for the period by 40 to 50 per cent.

He said the Thai heritage and ambience in the hotel was the key to the increase in occupancy. “It’s the key,” he said, “Our location being centrally-located on Sheikh Zayed Road and within close proximity to Dubai Mall and other tourist destinations has also been an attractive quality for our leisure travellers coming to Dubai.”

Kulwanth Sing, managing partner of Lama Desert Tours and Cruises, said holiday travellers wait for better deals for Christmas and New Year.

“This explains why there is slow down in tourist arrivals before December 20. But from December 20 until mid January, the number of travellers is increasing.” Most of the airlines are taking in the bandwagon of special rates and promotions for several popular destinations and different 
travel periods.

Adlil Hafiz Ariffin of Malaysia Airlines said Malaysian Airlines, for instance, came up with ‘Everyday Low Fare’ of Dh1,790 all inclusive for those who booked from Dubai to Kuala Lumpur from December 14 to December 18, and for those who will travel from January 13 to November 19.

Emirates Airline is offering six round-trip economy class tickets to lucky winners valid for travel anywhere across six continents Emirates flies to.

In its website, Emirates urged travellers to increase their chances by sharing this incredible opportunity with their family and friends.

Air Arabia, the first and largest low-cost carrier in the Middle East and north Africa, unveiled exclusive holiday packages to Goa for a four-night getaway, which include flights, transfers, accommodation, breakfast and tours. The bookings are available at holidays.airarabia.com and the offer, which is valid until March 31 starts at Dh1,270 per person.

“Air Arabia Holidays offers customers a range of exciting travel options at affordable prices,” said AK Nizar, head of Commercial Department, 
Air Arabia.

lily@khaleejtimes.com

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