Hotels in Dubai optimistic about the ninth DSF

A seamless integration of services from the public and private sectors has enabled this marvel to now prepare for its ninth year of festivities. The world-class hospitality sector in Dubai, which supports and encourages all promotions and initiatives, is positive that this year too, during DSF 2004, there will be a high number of visitors in Dubai, a phenomenon that has been seen every year from the inception of DSF in 1996.

Mr. Moussa Al Hayek, General Manager, Al Bustan Centre and Residency, said, "We have regularly seen an occupancy of over 90% and during DSF 2004 we are confident of exceeding this number in a good way. The weekends are especially busy during DSF, as there are a large number of people who come in from the other emirates in the UAE. As we have a large number of hotel apartments, we have many families staying with us, and the average stay of the visiting family is a week."

"We are running special promotions for families during DSF 2004, and these include room-rates, meal promotions, the amusement center and in all the hotel facilities. In the mall, there are many outlets that are participating as official outlets, and the Al Bustan Centre is a Support Sponsor of DSF 2004 and the Nissan Draw. We are running special deals in association with the stores within the mall, and we have seen that there is a positive gain in shopping of about 10-15%", he added.

The newly-opened Safir Deira Hotel, right in the heart of the Al Muraqabbat Street, close to all the amazing activities and entertainment, is eagerly looking forward to its second Dubai Shopping Festival. Mr. Wael Al Behi, Director of Sales and Marketing, Safir Deira Hotel, said, "It was a conscious decision that we took to participate wholly in Dubai Shopping Festival 2004. Being located right on one of the most active streets of DSF, we saw an occupancy of over 93% last year, and this year, we are confident of an occupancy of 100%. We are sure that the whole city is ready for this tourism marvel, and the wonderful weather and the Eid Al Adha holidays will be especially inviting for visitors."

"We get a lot of guests from the GCC and CIS markets, and we have also got enquiries and bookings from tour operators in the UK and Germany. We are a family-oriented hotel, and the average stay of our guests are around 4-54 nights. We are running a promotion with Jumbo, and we are placing shopper's guides and brochure in all rooms."

"DSF directly affects our bottomline, making the first operational month of the year the benchmark by which we rate all following months", said El Behi.

Nazih Harafi, Direcotre- Public Relations, Metropolitan Hotels, which own 4 properties in Dubai, said, "We have received many bookings across our hotels, and a large percentage of them are families. There are special offers being run during DSF 2004, including free meals, and gives guests the opportunity to win a trip to Lebanon, 3 days in the Metropolitan Hotel, Beirut. This draw will take place on the 17th of February."

"We are confident that we will see a high occupancy rate across all our properties, and that DSF 2004 will again be a successful one for us, just like previous years", she added.