While the Dubai Summer Surprises has brought the predictable boom in visitor numbers to the emirate, Osama Mariam, director of sales and marketing at the two Al Sondos by Le Meridien properties, has confirmed that hotels are now no longer seeing a significant drop in business in the summer months….
While the Dubai Summer Surprises has brought the predictable boom in visitor numbers to the emirate, Osama Mariam, director of sales and marketing at the two Al Sondos by Le Meridien properties, has confirmed that hotels are now no longer seeing a significant drop in business in the summer months.
Overseeing operations at Al Sondos Suites by Le Meridien, Mariam has achieved 75, 77 and nearly 85 per cent in June, July and August respectively.
Meanwhile, its sister property Dar Al Sondos Hotel Apartments by Le Meridien has registered more than 95 per cent year round.
Mariam claims the signs are positive that this boom will be consolidated for the rest of the year. He said: “Thanks to the exceptional organisation and marketing of Dubai Summer Surprises around the Gulf and farther afield, we can now count on good occupancies, especially from Arabia, which account for 65 per cent of our total figures.”
According to Mariam, the “Dubai Inc” marketing drive – led by Dubai Tourism and Commerce Marketing at tourism trade exhibitions around the world – means that awareness of the emirate is at an all-time high.
“As a result, our marketing efforts for the individual properties are reaching receptive ears: tour operators know they can sell the destination of Dubai, and individuals are already aware of the city’s attractions.”
Meanwhile, average room rate at Al Sondos Suites has gone up consistently from Dhs480 in June to Dhs540 in July and a forecasted Dhs600 in August.
Mariam added: “Whether it is short-break tourism from the region, exhibition and conference business, corporate contracts or general visitor traffic, there seems to be no stopping Dubai now – and this is before the current crop of projects materialise. With the addition of The Palm and The World, as well as the Mall of the Emirates, Dubai will continue to flourish.”
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
