Propahtea continues its UAE expansion of property-themed tea rooms with the official opening its second outlet in Dubai Festival City.
With an outlet already established in Dubai Marina, four more Propahtea tea rooms are scheduled to open in Dubai and Abu Dhabi before the end of 2010.
The Dubai Marina Propahtea, which opened in December 2008, has built a loyal expatriate clientele and owner Ali Tumbi is confident of the new chain’s success, committing over Dh5 million of his own capital to the expansion.
Speaking at the opening of the Dubai Festival City Propahtea, which is located at the office towers, Tumbi says: “We have had a great response from our Dubai Marina outlet and all signs show the Dubai Festival City venue will be a welcome change for the large numbers of tea drinkers who work in and visit the area.
“We have discovered a very strong market in Dubai for traditional Indian Karak chai, which is no surprise given the number of people from the subcontinent in the UAE. It is also very popular among Arabs, and I’m sure everyone else will catch on to this smooth and creamy tea as it becomes more readily available.”
Offering a selection of high quality mainstream and rare teas alongside in-house baked pastries, cakes, sandwiches and salads, Propahtea owner Ali Tumbi aims to follow the success of coffee chains by offering tea room options to the UAE population
“I’m convinced that many people meet in coffee shops as there is simply a lack of choice and I can’t see why tea rooms can’t challenge the coffee giants here in the emirates. My research showed that many people would prefer an authentic cup of hot or iced tea if given the option. Given the number of Indians and British expatriates here who are more likely to drink tea back home, then it is hardly surprising.”
Combining tea with a property concept, including a free wall for agents, owners and buyers, to advertise their property information, Propahtea hopes to tap into the UAE’s thriving business community.
More Propahtea outlets are currently being completed, including Mall of the Emirates and Jumeirah Lake Towers in Dubai and Delma Mall in Abu Dhabi and are all on course to open within the year.
Originally from Pakistan before studying in the US then working in marketing in London, Tumbi’s Propahtea chain has taken over two years of hard work and ongoing investment to bring to this completion stage.
