Dubai has started 2005 on track to register record hotel occupancies and visitor numbers, according to Amal Benzari, general manager of Al Sondos Suites by Le Meridien.
According to Benzari, the Dubai Shopping Festival looks set to boost hotel revenues again, leaving business on a high for months to come.
Having registered occupancy rates of near 85 per cent in the last six months, Benzari predicts this boom will be consolidated throughout 2005 for both Al Sondos Suites and its sister property Dar Al Sondos Hotel Apartments by Le Meridien, which registered more than 95 per cent year round in 2004.
Benzari said: “Every year people question whether such growth can be sustained, but the in-bound tourist numbers continue to rise, with Dubai Shopping Festival continuing to be a welcome start to the year – albeit not the ‘kick start’ that was once needed.
“The issue that hoteliers now face is how to manage the flow of business, to ensure that we build on the success of prime opportunities such as DSF throughout the year.
“The DSF’s family oriented nature has only helped our business as we are one of the few ‘dry’ properties that cater to GCC families that opt for long stays during the shopping season without the presence of alcohol around them.”
While the beach-front hotels tend to get the most publicity, Benzari emphasised that the regular trade generated by city hotels and apartments was equally valuable for the Dubai business mix.
Benzari said: “Al Sondos is in the heart of much of the city’s activities during Dubai Shopping Festival, thanks to its location opposite Deira City Centre, Dubai’s biggest shopping mall. In addition, Al Sondos is just a few minutes’ walk from many of the cultural performances and live entertainment on Deira’s Al Rigga, Al Muraqqabat and Al Seef streets.”
Located just five minutes’ from Dubai International Airport in the Deira shopping and business district, Al Sondos Suites by Le Meridien offers accommodation ideally suited for the needs of GCC and long-stay visitors, with 106 studio, one- and two-bedrooms suites, all equipped with kitchen facilities as well as large-screen televisions, High Speed Internet access, inter-active games and 24-hour concierge and room service.
Its sister property, the 144-suite Dar Al Sondos Hotel Apartments by Le Meridien, is located in the busy Bur Dubai area of the city, providing a value-for-money alternative for executives and leisure travellers who seek accommodation in the heart of the action. The property was reflagged under the Le Meridien brand last year, following extensive refurbishment.
