Hotel bookings build up ahead of Dubai Expo
Advance bookings for October and November are doing quite well
With two weeks to go for the Expo opening, Dubai’s hotel room rates are on the rise — but with steady increases rather than overnight spikes. Advance bookings for October and November are doing quite well, and hotel operators now confident this pace should last well into early next year.
“With the current changes in tourist visa regulations, guests were quick to respond, and we observe from the recent search results that there is a growing demand for all-inclusive holidays in Dubai,” said Ali Ozbay, Regional Director of Marketing and Communications at Rixos Hotels UAE, which operates resorts in Dubai’s JBR and Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi. “We’ve already discovered the local market’s potential — and the feedback has been highly positive.”
While everyone in the hotel industry knew an upturn in occupancy and bookings were imminent ahead of the Expo, it was the Government’s announcement on clearing tourist arrivals and visitors to the Expo that speeded up the process.
Hotels did not wait to respond with what they believe would be the right set of rates and offers for now. At Rixos, an all-inclusive package costs between Dh1,200 to Dh1,600 depending on the room and season.
It includes a deluxe or premium accommodation, choices at à la carte restaurants, entertainment options and the whole works, so to speak.
The Five Palm Jumeirah’s package starts from Dh1,670, which includes breakfast, lunch and dinner at one of the hotel’s seven restaurants. Ritz Carlton in Dubai has a ‘halfboard dine around offer,’ which includes a buffet breakfast, lunch or dinner with the choice to dine around at over 100 participating restaurants in the UAE by MoreCravings — Marriott’s online dining platform.
Affordable prices
As per travel and hotel booking portals, stay rates in Dubai are rising, but gradually. There are rooms available for what can only be deemed as extremely affordable.
Occupancy rates at Dubai’s hotels are already close to prepandemic levels. “Barriers to travel have lessened — and the UAE has been one of the few destinations that has been able to remain open with limited restrictions because of dropping case counts,” said Philip Wooller, Area Director for the Middle East and Africa at the consultancy STR.
The UAE resumed issuing tourist visas for fully vaccinated people from all countries as of August 30.