Marriott Global Sales Organization reports 26 per cent growth in FY 2004 - 2005

This was announced at a press conference held at Dubai's annual travel exhibition, the Arabian Travel Market.

"It goes without saying that the Middle East economy is booming. Oil prices are on the upsurge and the IT industry in India is currently thriving. The trends mirror the overall demographic and psychographic changes in the Middle East," said Samir Daqqaq, Vice-President, Global Sales Organization, "Increasing affluence amongst the Gen X and Gen Y, and their growing numbers in the Middle East, have led to a change in the holiday pattern of the region. Leisure travelers are now taking more short-haul vacations. Our customers are going to newer exotic destinations such as the Australia's Gold Coast, Koh Samui in Thailand, Tunis and Capri. However, there is still a healthy demand for the classic destinations like London, Paris, Vienna, Munich, Prague and Singapore."

Marriott has also witnessed a notable increase in bookings for its Middle East hotels being booked intra regionally.

"There has been a behavioral change in the buying patterns among the business traveler and the leisure traveler. The leisure traveler mainly looks for recreation and rejuvenation whether traveling alone or with a family. Our properties in Jordan Valley, Sharm el Sheikh, Cairo, Beirut, Amman and of course, Dubai have benefited from this new trend of shorter holidays. Some families make these trips as many as four times a year,"

added Daqqaq.

Predictably, with the approaching summer, the peak travel season for the Middle East, Marriott expects the stay duration to vary from 4 days to 2 weeks at destinations such as London, Paris, Cairo and Dubai. Travel to the US destinations is also gaining momentum with the relaxed visa issuances.

"The stay duration at our Asia-Pacific destinations is considerably longer. Holidays at Bangkok, Phuket or Kuala Lumpur extend to 4 weeks. In fact, Marriott properties in Kuala Lumpur have seen a surge in travelers from the Middle East, since its emergence as the supermarket for the Middle East," explained Daqqaq.