Jordan remains upbeat on downturn

Aqaba’s top F&B professionals have expressed an optimistic view of the impact of the economic downturn upon the Kingdom’s F&B market.

Speaking at a recent industry roundtable hosted by Mövenpick Resort Tala Bay Aqaba, the property’s F&B director Hakim Karoui said: “The impact of the downtown has reduced revenue, but it has also forced hoteliers to start controlling their costs in order to protect their profits.”

InterContinental Aqaba Resort F&B manager Hatem Badareen added that the economic situation “had little significant impact on the overall hotel business with both the local tourism and the groups”.

“Despite the global financial crisis, the performance for us has remained relatively steady,” he added.

According to Radisson Blu Tala Bay Resort executive assistant manager Kosta Kourotsidis, the key to riding out the storm was not to panic and slash budgets at the expense of consumer satisfaction.

“The global downturn of course effects occupancy levels, but we decided not to ‘save’ money in operations; we believe in repeat guests through good reputation,” he said.