Party time problems
Although special celebratory dinners, events and parties will undoubtedly take place this year, the consumer caution generated by the global economic downturn may well take its toll on the holiday season, with certain F&B operators predicting less footfall and reduced spend-per-head.
Hotel JAL Fujairah’s Assoudi expands: “One of the major challenges that may impact this season is the global financial instability that is still a pilot factor in any individual’s decision for spending, in both the local and the international market.
“The regular spender will think twice about the price-tag before picking their venue, while others will be either considering staying at home for a more casual and less costly celebration or not celebrating at all.
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“This is why we have to take into consideration the actual financial situation and come up with affordable, quality offers to suit everyone’s budget.
“But our predictions remain positive,” he insists.
“After all, figures dropping due to the reduced flow coming from the international market will be picked up by the local market, which has turned to more local offers in the shape of short breaks and dining options.”
Mövenpick Resort Tala Bay Aqaba’s director of F&B, Hakim Karoui, agrees that “many people won’t be travelling like in previous years and the revenue forecasted is lower than before”.
However Karoui remains optimistic, predicting people will still be going out to a certain degree and that “Christmas brunch will be as popular as previous years”. By contrast, Mövenpick Kuwait’s Ghazali does not expect to see any slide in revenue.
“In our part of the world we do not see that it will really be effected; in fact, some people say that the business might increase here in Kuwait, due to the fact there may be a certain percentage of people unable to travel abroad to celebrate this year,” she says.
Parvinder Singh, business manager at Sharaf Hospitality — owners of Chillout, the region’s first ice lounge, located in Dubai — says he is also “upbeat about this year’s festive season”.
“We are looking forward to increased revenue growth compared to last year,” he says, explaining this will be achieved through special rates and group deals offering guests a better value proposition.
Emaar Hospitality’s Barber expounds on this line, saying business is improving in the region and that people will undoubtedly venture out to celebrate: “The difference is they will be looking for the very best deals,” he explains.
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