UAE hotels curate special packages for residents

dubai — Hotels across the UAE are looking into launching special packages for families that will allow them to enjoy small staycations, which are valid well into late summer.

Haytham Osama, hotel manager at LEVA Mazaya Centre Dubai, noted that the Covid-19 crisis is affecting the lives and livelihoods of millions of people, as well as having a huge impact on the travel, tourism, and hospitality industry. “Like all our colleagues in the industry, we are also going through the most difficult time we have ever experienced,” he said.

“We have lost more than Dh1.5 million in revenue in the last 25 days and are still incurring losses. As we all know that hospitality industry is among the hardest hit during this difficult times. However, we are committed to taking care of our guests and our colleagues,” he added.

Asked about residents who are hesitant to indulge in a staycation because of concerns over safety, Osama said that the hotel is taking the recommendations of the local health authorities very seriously.

“Our top priority is always the safety of our in-house guests and our employees. We haven’t sent any of our colleagues on unpaid leaves, and will continue supporting them as long as we are able to. We are strictly following all the safety guidelines to fight and prevent the spread of the virus and we can assure our guests that we do not compromise on safety and are happy to welcome anyone looking for a staycation.”

Measures that the hotel has taken to protect against the virus include sanitizers being placed in all public areas, housekeeping teams disinfecting all public areas such as lifts, corridors, and door handles every hour, and a medical team available immediately on call to assist any guest if required.

“We have launched six value-added promotions on our website, that are valid throughout the year for all target markets, especially for the families in UAE,” Osama said.

Similarly, the H Dubai, has launched a staycation package inviting residents to take time out to recharge and spend some much-deserved me time. The hotel has several offers listed on its website for both families and business professionals. Sophie Blondel, GM at H Dubai, said that the health and safety of guests and employees is the highest priority. “We remain committed to upholding the best practices and are following the guidelines from the WHO, Center for Disease Control and Prevention and Dubai Health Authority regarding Covid-19. We have enhanced our cleaning protocols as recommended by the Dubai Health Authority in cleaning and sanitizing guest rooms, public areas, as well as back-of-the-house areas and all hightouch areas that affect guests and employees.”

To minimise the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on businesses and individuals, real estate developer, Al Hamra, has created an economic relief package which includes several initiatives to help ease the financial burden of businesses. The group, which has diversified interests in the retail, residential, and hospitality sector in Ras Al Khaimah, has launched several initiatives which include up to three months rental relief, reduction in cooling consumption charges, deferral of fees, waiver of payment delay penalties and payment due date extensions.

Benoy Kurien, group CEO of Al Hamra, said: “We understand the predicament faced by all and the impact of the Coronavirus outbreak on our economy. During these unprecedented times, we, are more committed than ever to stand firmly by our valued partners and customers. Our initiatives aim to support business continuity by offsetting some of the impact, and to promote the welfare of the community.”

Our initiatives aim to support business continuity by offsetting some of the impact, and to promote the welfare of the community Benoy Kurien, group CEO of Al Hamra