Dubai hotels enjoy highest ADR and occupancy rate in Mena
dubai — Hotels in Dubai enjoy the highest occupancy rate and highest average daily rate (ADR) in the Middle East while the Egyptian cities of Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada are “touristic hotspots” with predicted growth of 40 per cent and 44 per cent, respectively, in revenue per available room.
According to Colliers International Mena Hotel Forecasts October 2018, hotels in Dubai Marina and JBR enjoy an occupancy of 90 per cent, the highest in the region while Palm Jumeirah hotels have the highest ADR at $503.
While Dubai hotels in general enjoyed an occupancy level of above 80 per cent, Abu Dhabi city hotels posted 85 per cent as Abu Dhabi beach hotels continued to witness strong momentum in occupancy and ADR, and Colliers expects the trend to continue over the next quarter, mostly driven by the leisure segment.
Dr Scott Richardson, Executive Dean of Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management (EAHM), said while it is a well-known fact that the hospitality industry is the world’s second biggest employer, it is all the more relevant here in the UAE, with Dubai and Abu Dhabi witnessing impressive growth in hotel rooms, especially ahead of upcoming mega events such as Expo 2020.
As the UAE’s hospitality indus- try continues its rapid growth, it presents highly promising career opportunities for skilled professionals, especially Emirati youth. Hotels are increasingly looking out for local talent across operational and functional areas as part of their commitment to Emiratisation, he said. According to a joint study by KPMG and International Hospitality Consulting Group (INHOCO), Dubai alone will have 100,000 hotel rooms by 2020, up by around 17,000 from the current count of 83,000, creating significant employment opportunities. The study reveals that the hospitality industry operates at a ratio of roughly one member of staff to one room. More importantly, there is a huge need for management capabilities as roughly one third of hospitality staff are managers, thus offering competent professionals strong career growth prospects. “With the many opportunities available in the hospitality sector, young Emiratis are starting to see the range of careers available to them,” said Dr. Richardson. “This new generation of employees are the future of the industry in the UAE and with the current demand for talent with industry-relevant qualifications, Emiratis can enjoy a successful and fulfilling career in the industry.”
The demand for qualified hospitality professionals is extremely high in the UAE. For example, the Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management recorded 96 per cent employability rate for its graduates in 2017.
The UAE’s hospitality and tourism sector is a significant contributor to the UAE’s economy and a major employer. In 2017 it is estimated that the sector contributed over Dh150 billion to GDP, and provided almost 570,000 jobs, which represented 4.8 per cent of total employment.
With the many opportunities available in the hospitality sector, young Emiratis are starting to see the range of careers available to them Dr Scott Richardson, Executive Dean, Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management