Dubai hotels and hotel apartments forecast high occupancy in last two weeks of DSS

Many hotels and hotel apartments have registered occupancy levels of between 85 to 100 percent since the beginning of DSS 2004, and expect to perform even better in the remaining two weeks of DSS. In the past few weeks, there has been a surge in arrivals in the number of guests, mostly families from neighbouring GCC countries, other Arab states, and from Europe and Asia.

The guests have been greatly encouraged to spend more nights at these hotels and hotel apartments by a range of special packages and promotions covering room rates, meals and services like special transport and city tours.

Taj Palace Hotel is one such place which has seen high occupancy levels since the start of DSS 2004. In fact, it recorded 99.4 percent occupancy in the first 12 days of August, and are confident of exceeding this figure in the remaining two weeks.

Bessie Salomon, Marketing Services Manager of Taj Palace Hotel, said: " We have had a wonderful response so far, and expect to do even better in the final stages of DSS. We achieved 100 percent occupancy in July with visitors, mostly from GCC states, in the short-term spending 4-5 nights at our hotel, and in the long-term, staying for two weeks".

Katerina Fajgar, Public Relations and Communications Manager of Inter-Continental Hotel, Dubai, said: "We have had very high occupancy levels, and our forecast is that it will continue to increase in the last two weeks of DSS. Our guests are mostly GCC families and tourists from Europe, who on an average stay for 2-6 nights. The occupancy level in June was 90 percent, it was 80 percent in July, and now again, we are witnessing an increase, at 83 percent in August".

Inter-Continental Hotel, Dubai participated in many of the DSS events including the Sweet Surprises theme at BurJuman Centre. For their guests, Inter-Continental Hotel has been offering a range of promotions such as room rates and meals at their restaurants.

Moosa El Hayek, General Manager of Al Bustan Residences - Hotel Apartments, said: "We have had a great summer. Our occupancy levels have climbed to 92 percent in August, of which 28 percent were Saudi nationals, followed by Emiratis, Qataris, Kuwaitis and Iranians. Another 24 percent were British, Lebanese, Indians, Germans, Americans and Thai nationals, who stay on an average five nights at our apartments"

Ignace Bauwens, General Manager, ACCOR Hotels World Trade Centre, Dubai, said" Our group's Ibis World Trade Centre hotel has had an excellent season during DSS, registering occupancy levels of 92 percent. Ibis World Trade Centre caters to leisure travellers in the summer, and DSS has certainly had an impact for us. Throughout the DSS and summer season, the hotel is offering special rates on dinner and lunch packages".

Dubai Summer Surprises 2004 is currently in the penultimate theme week, the Back-2-School Surprises organised by the Department of Economic Development from August 12-18, and ends with the Colour Surprises by the Department of Health and Medical Sciences from August 19-27, 2004.