Abu Dhabi: Adnan Najm
Hotels announced their readiness to receive visitors and participants in the “COP28” activities, as they are expected to record record occupancy in hotel rooms. According to managers and workers in these hotels, early reservations have been recorded by participants and visitors for the conference activities, which will attract participants from various countries of the world, over the course of two weeks, and will witness great momentum thanks to the issues and topics that it will discuss in the presence of presidents, heads of government and delegations of the participating countries.
They pointed out that this event will have a significant impact on various economic sectors and fields, such as aviation, transportation, restaurants and retail trade, which will contribute to stimulating economic activity in the country in general, and not just at the event location.
The events of the last quarter will raise occupancy rates in hotels in Dubai and Abu Dhabi to high levels.
Dubai hotels
Occupancy levels in Dubai’s hospitality sector reached 75.7% in the first eight months of 2023, an increase of 7% year-on-year.
According to STR Global data, the hotel sector in Dubai recorded an occupancy rate of 72.8% in 2022, making it among the highest rates in the world, and matching the pre-pandemic levels of 2019 of 74.6%.
However, average daily rates saw a year-on-year decline, with an overall decline of 5.2% during the year to August.
In 2022, Dubai saw a significant rise in daily interest rates, rising by 17.1% year-on-year to AED 693.
According to the consulting company’s estimates, Dubai will witness the addition of 40 new hotel facilities in 2023, bringing the total number to 853 hotels.
The emirate has already witnessed the opening of four hotels and two hotel apartments, with a total of 1,992 rooms.
The report said that Dubai will witness the addition of 11 facilities in 2024, and 11 more in 2025. In 2022, 7,797 rooms were added, representing 42% of the expected rooms.
Abu Dhabi hotels
In Abu Dhabi, the total number of hotel guests in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi during the first nine months reached 3.6 million guests, compared to 2.9 million guests in the same period during 2022, i.e. a growth of 24%, while the emirate’s hotels achieved revenues amounting to 4.2 billion dirhams.
The number of hotel guests in Abu Dhabi last September reached 408,000 guests, and the average hotel occupancy reached 72%. The revenues of hotel establishments in Abu Dhabi last September amounted to 413 million dirhams, divided into 240 million dirhams in room revenues, 139 million dirhams in food and beverage revenues, and 34 million dirhams in other revenues.
High tourist season
Kamal Fakhoury, CEO of Cristal Hotel Group, says: “We expect to record occupancy of up to 100% during the COP 28 period, as the organization of this important international event coincides with the high tourist season, which makes us record record-breaking reservations.”
Fakhoury added: “Despite the strong operation of our hotels, during the period of organizing this event, we continue to put forward offers to attract guests, knowing that this event highlights the capabilities of Abu Dhabi hotels, and their ability to receive guests and provide them with services.”
Preparations
Ahmed Hasib, CEO of Jeewan Hotel Group, said: “Since the UAE announced hosting the conference activities, the country’s hotels, especially in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, have begun preparing to receive large numbers of participants and visitors coming to attend the activities of this important international event, as occupancy rates are expected to exceed Hotel rooms are 90%, according to already confirmed reservations, while the percentage of reservations in our hotels to date has reached 80%, and is expected to rise to record rates in conjunction with the holding and organization of the event.”
Haseeb added: “Such important international events hosted by the country will have a major positive impact on the performance of the hotel and tourism sector, and this positive economic impact will extend to other sectors, such as transportation, transportation, retail trade, restaurants, and others, which will contribute to achieving a great benefit to the national economy.” ».
Positive performance
In turn, Radhi Baz, Sales Director at the Sofitel Corniche Hotel – Abu Dhabi, says: “We expect an increase in hotel occupancy in the last quarter of this year, due to the events and exhibitions held in the country. We also expect to record record occupancy during the period of the COP28 events.” .
Baz added: “Abu Dhabi hotels recorded an increase in the number of official delegations that will come for the purpose of accommodation during the activities of the Climate Conference of the Parties, which contributed to increasing hotel occupancy during the period extending from November 30 to December 12 next, which heralds achieving hotel performance.” Positive, and creating a recovery in the tourism, commercial and other sectors.”
Activate sectors
Osama Sharrouf, Executive Vice President of Marketing and Sales at Jannah Hotel Group, said: “We expect that our hotels during the conference period will record occupancy rates of up to 97%, whether in Abu Dhabi or Dubai, as we have recorded reservations for visitors, guests, and official delegations that will be keen to attend this important international event.”
Shrrouf added: “Such a major event will help revitalize all the country’s hotels in general, and will have a positive impact on airlines, transportation, restaurants, shops, and others.”
Extended effect
Tourism expert Noel Masoud says: “Although the Emirate of Dubai is hosting the conference activities, its impact on the hotel sector extends to the other emirates of the country, especially the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, which hosts international hotels that can accommodate the increasing numbers of visitors and participants, especially since the road distance between Abu Dhabi and the site of the event is held.” It does not exceed an hour, which prompted many participating delegations to choose Abu Dhabi as a destination to stay during the activities of this international event.”
Masoud said: “Abu Dhabi hotels recorded early bookings by delegations and visitors coming to attend the conference, and it is expected that this percentage will reach record levels as the launch of this event approaches.”
Events of the last quarter
Mohsen Al Shimi, Regional Government Sales Director for St. Regis Abu Dhabi Hotels, said: “The Emirate of Abu Dhabi is preparing to host many important events and activities in the last quarter of this year, the most important of which is hosting official delegations, participants and visitors to the Climate Conference of the Parties. Al Shimi stated that the events and activities held in the country will contribute to raising Abu Dhabi hotel occupancy rates to record levels, praising the efforts of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi in revitalizing the tourism sector, and the subsequent activity events in various sectors.
2023-11-05 19:45:46
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