The Observatory at Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel. The Observatory at Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel.

Groupon.ae

The low-down
The original idea for collective buying sites was first seen on Groupon.com which launched in Chicago in the United States in 2008. Now available in 44 countries, it has taken the internet by storm and is purported to be one of the fastest growing online companies.

It has recently hit the shores of the UAE and has approximately 250,000 subscribers. Currently in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, opportunities are being considered for the rest of the region.

What’s so special?
In one word — experience. As the inventors of the collective buying model coupled with a huge team in their head office in Chicago continuously work to enhance the system, groupon.ae brings a wealth of experience and resources to the table.

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What’s in it for you?
Hugely popular across key markets such as North America and Europe, the brand value that comes with this site cannot be under-estimated with more than 66 million subscribers worldwide. There is also huge potential for hoteliers to tap into holiday-makers from the United States and Europe who frequent the website.

For example:
Offer: 80% discount on access to the beach, pools and the childrens’ recreation areas at Le Méridien Hotel.

Result: 932 vouchers were bought at either AED 46 ($12) for single entry or AED 84 ($22) for family entry.