Dubai hotels expect jump in occupancy levels during DSF

UAE. This DSF, visitors and tourists from all over the world can look forward to indulging themselves in the best that luxury has to offer in Dubai.
As a part of the 16th edition of Dubai Shopping Festival (Jan 20 – Feb 20), key hotels in Dubai are all set to pamper your senses with the best deals and packages on the platter.
The latest statistics from the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) in Dubai reveal that the number of hotels and hotel apartments increased by 7% to 566 establishments in the period between January and June 2010, compared to 530 establishments in the same period in 2009. This saw total hotel rooms increase from 58,188 rooms to 67,369, marking a 16 per cent increase of 9,181 rooms, according to the same statistics.
Dubai hotels also witnessed a 20 per cent increase in the number of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) visitors staying during the first six months of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009, according to the DTCM data.
During the DSF period the numbers are expected to rise. The projected occupancy numbers tell the story. The Moevenpick-Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel (operated by Moevenpick Hotels & Resorts), which opened its doors on October 1, 2010, is expecting occupancy of around 65 to 70 per cent during the DSF 2011 period.
Mr Andrew Hughes, Director of Sales-Leisure, Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel, said: “It is a great accomplishment for a brand new five-star hotel in Dubai. Since its opening the hotel has been running on an average occupancy of 67 per cent.
“Dubai Shopping Festival has done a great job of promoting Dubai as a leisure/shopping destination during the last few years. It is a great way of attracting tourists to a good value holiday where you can enjoy variety of promotions and events and stay in some of the best hotels in the world.”
As a part of its DSF promotion, the Moevenpick-Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel is inviting visitors to ‘Unlock the Gate’ (one of the hotel’s key promotions). Hughes said he expects the visitors of DSF and the local market to take advantage of “Unlock the Gate” promotion which will run until May 2011.
As a part of this promotion, the hotel is distributing 22,000 keys worth AED 6 million over a period of four months. The key holders have to bring their gold key to the hotel when they dine, spend AED 250 and play immediately to win fabulous prizes from meals, to instant discounts, to beverages and special stays at the hotel. Meanwhile, one of 2,000 platinum key holders could become the custodian of the key to an apartment lease for one year.
Gold keys to the Gate are available at the Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel from the hotel’s concierge team or any of the restaurants, as well as through a special distribution in 7Days.
And then, there is Pullman Dubai Mall of The Emirates Hotel, which is packing the whole of one month with various packages and offers including adults as well as children.
Pullman Dubai Mall of the Emirates Hotel, meanwhile, experienced occupancy rates of about 50 per cent a week before the shopping festival kicked off.
Commenting on how the hotel is benefiting from the DSF, Mr Leonard Theng, Director of Sales and Marketing, Pullman Dubai Mall of the Emirates, said: “Being directly connected to the Mall of the Emirates, provides a huge opportunity for the hotel to tap into the leisure market that will be visiting Dubai for shopping during the DSF period.”
As a part of the DSF promotions the hotel, which opened for business on September 9, 2010, is offering “Ultimate Family Shopping Experience” at an all inclusive price of AED 1,673. The package entitles a family to a stay in a Junior Suite (with breakfast and dinner for 2 people), and allows up to two children (up to 6 years of age) to dine for free at each meal when dining with parents. Besides, the hotel is offering AED 100 gift card per day from Mall of the Emirates.
Other Pullman promotions include “Family Shopping Getaway with Kids Room” at an all inclusive price of AED 1,966; “Shop Till you Drop” offer starting at AED 1,086; and DSF restaurant and spa packages.
Further, Pullman Dubai Mall of the Emirates has partnered with the Dubai Events and Promotions Establishment (DEPE), an agency of the Dubai Department of Economic Development and organizers of the Dubai Shopping Festival, on media and promotional activities during the DSF months, as a part of which the hotel would be hosting two winning families for the MBC competition.
The excitement does not end here. The InterContinental Hotel – Dubai Festival City is enticing visitors with its ‘Stay Sweet, Say Suite’ package. On spending a luxurious day with the hotel, visitors will be treated to amazing offers. These include a stay in a one-bedroom suite with complimentary breakfast for two; AED 200 worth of dining vouchers per night redeemable at any of the hotel’s signature restaurants and bars; and 50% off on selected treatments at the luxurious SPA InterContinental.
The Meydan hotel, meanwhile, is offering a special rate of AED 700+ excluding breakfast (charged at AED 140 per person). Guests can also avail of a 25 per cent discount on Spa treatments. Besides, voucher of AED 300 can be redeemed against food if a guest books for a minimum of 4 nights or more.
The DEPE has partnered with over 80 four and five-star hotels including beach hotels and resorts for DSF 2011. Some of the participating beach and city hotels include Madinat Jumeirah, Armani Hotels & Resorts, Atlantis the Palm Jumeirah, InterContintental Dubai Festival City, Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa, Jumeirah Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa, Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Kempinski Hotel Mall of The Emirates, The Address Downtown Dubai, The Palace - The Old Town Hotel and numerous other hotels

from - www.bi-me.com