Rain or shine, Dubai hotels stay afloat
Despite the incessant rain, waterlogged roads and severe traffic congestion that bothered residents till the skies cleared up, the mood of tourists, and consequently hotels, was not dampened.
Hotels reported that occupancy rates generally haven’t been affected by weather in what is otherwise a relatively quiet time of the year.
However, some said food and beverage noticed a drop in customers.
Luxury hotels attributed the low number of cancellations during the rainy days to the two-day notice cancellation policy and guaranteed bookings.
Dusit Dubai revenue manager Salim Touma said the hotel’s occupancy rates had been around 90 per cent during the four rainy days. “There was an impact from the rain, mainly because there were no walk-ins, but I don’t believe there was an impact on arrivals,” he said.
“Most of the five star hotels have reservations guaranteed and have a cancellation policy of two days prior.”
However, he said the weekend tended to be a bit quieter.
“It’s almost in line with last January, but Eid Al Adha fell around New Year last year which meant better occupancies.”
The Fairmont Hotel assistant reservations manager Amogh Nudkarni confirmed early January tended to be a little slower but didn’t attribute it to recent rain.
“We have around 70 per cent average occupancy but the beginning of the year is slower,” he said.
“The rain was extreme, and the traffic bad but nobody has complained.
Most of our arrivals came in the evenings and didn’t experience many problems.”
Smaller hotels said some trade was lost from walk-ins and poor weather in Iran in early January meant many guests were unable to travel.
Hawthorne hotel sales director Subodh Mathur s said the snow in Iran had greater impact than the Dubai weather because of their strong numbers of Iranian clientele.
“Iran is our main sector during January which is very slow and it really affected our occupancy with about a three or four per cent drop,” Mathir said.
“The rain in Dubai has had more impact on our food and beverage sector because nobody wanted to go out and get stuck for hours. Some local conferences were also postponed.”
The Metropolitan Hotel reservations manager Vijay Kumar said their rooms were fully booked.
“We have 100 per cent occupancy,” Kumar said.
“The rain didn’t affect us and it(occupancy) looks pretty good for next week too.” Source
Hotels reported that occupancy rates generally haven’t been affected by weather in what is otherwise a relatively quiet time of the year.
However, some said food and beverage noticed a drop in customers.
Luxury hotels attributed the low number of cancellations during the rainy days to the two-day notice cancellation policy and guaranteed bookings.
Dusit Dubai revenue manager Salim Touma said the hotel’s occupancy rates had been around 90 per cent during the four rainy days. “There was an impact from the rain, mainly because there were no walk-ins, but I don’t believe there was an impact on arrivals,” he said.
“Most of the five star hotels have reservations guaranteed and have a cancellation policy of two days prior.”
However, he said the weekend tended to be a bit quieter.
“It’s almost in line with last January, but Eid Al Adha fell around New Year last year which meant better occupancies.”
The Fairmont Hotel assistant reservations manager Amogh Nudkarni confirmed early January tended to be a little slower but didn’t attribute it to recent rain.
“We have around 70 per cent average occupancy but the beginning of the year is slower,” he said.
“The rain was extreme, and the traffic bad but nobody has complained.
Most of our arrivals came in the evenings and didn’t experience many problems.”
Smaller hotels said some trade was lost from walk-ins and poor weather in Iran in early January meant many guests were unable to travel.
Hawthorne hotel sales director Subodh Mathur s said the snow in Iran had greater impact than the Dubai weather because of their strong numbers of Iranian clientele.
“Iran is our main sector during January which is very slow and it really affected our occupancy with about a three or four per cent drop,” Mathir said.
“The rain in Dubai has had more impact on our food and beverage sector because nobody wanted to go out and get stuck for hours. Some local conferences were also postponed.”
The Metropolitan Hotel reservations manager Vijay Kumar said their rooms were fully booked.
“We have 100 per cent occupancy,” Kumar said.
“The rain didn’t affect us and it(occupancy) looks pretty good for next week too.” Source
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