Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara is defying the soft hospitality industry conditions in the Qatari capital, with April 2017 projected as the island resort's "best month ever" since its opening in 2015, running a monthly occupancy around 82% and rates approaching US$ 1,000, area general manager Thomas Fehlbier said during an interview at the 2017 Arabian Travel Market (ATM).
"We realise that the Qatar hotel business has de-grown by up to 20% and this is after we already saw a 20% drop last year but we project April to be the best month ever in the resort," Fehlbier remarked.
He added that the first quarter of 2017 had not been so rosy for the resort, battered as it was by incessant bad weather.
"A tough Q1 would not indicate the results as a market trend because we had very bad weather - storms, rain, clouds. We had guests who stayed for two weeks and never saw the sun. I invited them back for three nights so as not to lose them completely and I must say, they were most appreciative," he said.
Felhbier stressed the resort being an alcohol-free facility has, instead of being a detriment to Western and international guests, now actually turned into a selling point.
"It may be surprising that Banana Island as a 'dry resort'currently does not see any resistance from European or international travellers. I usually contact them myself in advance when I see their bookings coming in and we provide a pre-arrival introduction, finding out their preferences and advising them in advance that the resort is not serving alcohol. Seven out of ten guests will reply, ' yes, we are aware and we don’t mind.' Now, being a 'dry resort' has even become a selling point for those travellers seeking to detox. Instead of hearing that we can’t do without it, now I'm thinking that it’s something unique."
He continued: "We didn’t have it at the opening and now, we've made it work without it. So now, I myself cannot estimate or justify what it would do to our current primary market, which is a high end GCC market, guests who don’t mind paying QAR 22,000 (US$ 6,042) for an overwater villa, for instance. So, to what extent do I risk this kind of clientele that comes for a purpose? I would need 10 other bookings to compensate for this if I lose this type of business."
"If the ownership would decide to have it someday, we will make it happen; as of now, I’m definitely not the one who is asking for it, " Fehlbier declared.
| Advertisement |
Search our database of more than 2,700 industry companies
