Marriott global sales reports 18% increase in sales in 2007 for Middle East, Africa & Subcontinent

The spurt in sales was attributed to the growing numbers in the business transient and MICE categories.

The impressive growth in 2007 was driven by a surge in intra-regional travel in the Business Transient as well as the MICE categories.

Changing patterns of consumer behavior was yet another factor that fuelled higher revenues during the year.

In his comments on the impressive sales results, Mr. Samir Daqqaq, Vice-President, Marriott Global Sales - Middle East & Africa, said:

"The region's hospitality segment is going through a highly buoyant phase. Regional business hubs like Dubai, Cairo, Doha and Bahrain have contributed significantly towards this trend. The leisure centres, traditionally led by Egypt and closely followed by Dubai, have also witnessed steady demand. Jordan, particularly Petra, has also evinced renewed interest".

He added that the robust growth in the MICE category in the region has helped push Marriott's sales.

"The trend is especially distinct in the UAE and Saudi Arabia market, where MICE solutions are in high demand. As expected, our Marriott Executive Apartments and Courtyard brands in the Middle East are patronized by project managers associated with the construction and real estate industries," he said.

Visitors to Marriott's properties in Egypt -- a favored leisure destination in the Middle East -- were largely from Saudi Arabia.

Daqqaq also highlighted the emergence of China, India, UK and Germany as business destinations for the Middle East.

Properties in the Far East such as Shanghai, Koh Samui, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and European cities of London, Paris and Vienna continue to draw most of the leisure visitors from this market.

Thailand's Marriott properties saw a phenomenal in-flow of Middle Eastern tourists last year. "The increase in numbers has been primarily attributed to highly-focused marketing initiatives rolled out by Thailand and its national airline," Daqqaq said.

The demand pattern of the increasingly-discerning Middle East traveler has undergone a fundamental shift.

Daqqaq said: "While shopping holidays are the preferred holiday format for the consumers from the region, the availability of an attached spa or a golf course is also a factor that influences decision making for leisure travel. This explains the popularity of spa destinations such as Koh Samui".

He added: "In recent years, traffic to the United States has picked up tremendously which is increasingly becoming the preferred destination after the Far East and Europe for Middle East travelers. The key reason is the availability of more airline options and the easing of stringent entry visa stipulations".