Hotels in the emirates are eyeing 100% occupancy over Eid Al-Adha, with many already fully booked.
Eid Al-Adha will begin on Thursday October 25 — Arafat Waqfa Day, according to the UAE Ministry of Labour, with work officially resuming on Sunday October 28 for the private sector, and Monday October 29 for public-sector employees.
“We will witness a very high occupancy. All hotels in the city will be fully booked up to 100% occupancy,” Metropolitan Deira Hotel Dubai general manager Khalid Saeed said, adding that the biggest business boost would come from the GCC, especially Saudi Arabia.
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Wajeed Bagwan, general manager of Lotus Hotel Dubai added: “Eid is definitely a big impact for our business and as of date we already are sold out during the Eid period. Our RevPar averages AED 475 which is indeed a good boost to our revenues especially towards the end of the month. Most of the guests are leisure travellers from GCC and CIS markets”.
Citymax Hotels Bur Dubai general manager Walter Knight told Hotelier Middle East the 691-room hotel is "sold out" for the Eid period, and up until October 30, 2012.
"Most of the clients coming during Eid are still our European travellers, and then from Saudi Arabia and other GCC countries. Our forecast for the rest of 2012 is very positive and we are predicting 90%-plus occupancy on a daily basis," added Knight.
In the capital, GMs are also targeting European travellers: “We are anticipating a full house for Eid. The bookings are mostly leisure travellers from Europe, reflecting our usual business mix,” said Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas, Saadiyat Island GM Stuart Deeson.
Hotels connected to malls are also hoping to benefit from an increased number of shoppers over Eid, with some malls staying opening 24 hours a day. Dubai Mall, the largest of its kind in the world will open around the clock for three consecutive weekends until November 4.
Laurent Chaudet, general manager of Pullman Mall of the Emirates Dubai commented: “We are hoping to benefit from the influx of mall visitors to visit and enjoy the hotel facilities. We have actively participated in the mall marketing activities of providing special offers to guests who will be dining with us after midnight.
“We are currently forecasting full occupancy this weekend with a RevPAR of AED 920. Eid has always been a busy period for the hotel. We have closed on full occupancy on the past Eid holidays,” he added.
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