UAE hotels record strong occupancy during Eid

August, 19th 2013

Dubai: Hotel occupancy rates were up across the UAE during the weekend of Eid Al Fitr.

“I would say four- and five-star hotels had 90 per cent occupancy in Dubai and 85 per cent in Abu Dhabi,” said Peter Goddard, managing director of TRI Hospitality Consulting, an international consultancy.

Hoteliers and hotel operators echoed Goddard’s views.

French hotel operator Accor recorded an occupancy of 90 per cent across its Dubai hotels from Thursday to Sunday, Olivier Hick, the company’s vice-president of operations in the Gulf and Levant countries, told Gulf News via e-mail.

Hilton’s hotels in Dubai registered small changes in occupancy, which was up one per cent compared to the corresponding period in 2012, according to Heather Shaw, Hilton’s senior director of corporate communication for the Middle East and Africa.

Meanwhile in Abu Dhabi, Accor’s hotels saw occupancy reach 85 per cent, up between five and 10 per cent from the same time a year ago, Hick said.

‘A great success’

“[The] Eid weekend was a great success for guests and hoteliers. Abu Dhabi in particular saw a market increase of 10 per cent in occupancy, a rate increase of 9 per cent and a revenue rise of 20 per cent over 2012,” Shaw said.

Hilton Abu Dhabi recorded an 11 per cent rise in occupancy, according to Shaw.

In addition, Ayman Ashor, general manager at Tilal Liwa Hotel in Liwa, said occupancy stood between 92 and 98 per cent from Wednesday till Saturday, an increase of 87 per cent over the same period last year.

Meanwhile, hoteliers and hotel operators noted higher room rates during the Eid weekend over the corresponding time last year.

Average room rates were up 10 per cent in Accor’s Dubai hotels and six per cent in its Abu Dhabi hotels, Hick said.

Hilton Abu Dhabi achieved an 11 per cent growth in average room rates, Shaw said.

Furthermore, hoteliers registered a rise in revenue during the weekend.

Hilton hotels in Dubai achieved a revenue growth of 25 per cent during the weekend, compared to the same time in 2012.

Tilal Liwa Hotel generated higher revenue by between 10 to 15 per cent, Ashor said.

However, according to Hick, there was no significant increase in revenue over that period.

“In general, the revenue was rather in line with last year’s Eid as the weekend was slightly shorter than 2012,” he said.

“In comparison, food and beverage revenue is decreasing.” He attributed this to customers becoming “more cautious in extra spending” and taking “a more healthy approach”.

Source: Gulf News