Emirates Palace triples business from China

Kempinski-operated Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi has “tripled” its business from China in 2012, general manager Bugra Berberoglu told Hotelier Middle East.

“Like every other business we continuously search for new markets. Recently we have seen an increase in Chinese business. I think we have tripled our volume from last year,” said Berberoglu.

“We have around 2000 people working in the hotel and in order to facilitate and give the best service to the Chinese guest we have implemented some Chinese dishes and we have increased our Chinese staff —in every department we have at least two to three Chinese speaking employees.”

He said the dominant markets were Europe, GCC and US, but that the hotel was also seeing growth from South America and India.

“The South American business is growing very fast, specifically Brazil,” said Berberoglu. “I think partnering with Etihad Airways starting their new route to Brazil will increase the guest flow from Latin America.”

He said the hotel was “heavily pursuing the Indian market”, but that it was not as “beneficial or good” a market for Abu Dhabi as it was for Dubai.