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Dubai: The hotel occupancy rate in Dubai and Abu Dhabi has reached 100%, and room rates are also rising rapidly. This may be the best stage ever for the local hotel and tourism industry.
In Abu Dhabi, hotels benefit doubly from sporting events, with demand during F1 races immediately supported as the Doha football championship kicks off.
“We had no availability for our standard rooms throughout the World Cup,” said Tamara Salha, general manager of Crowne Plaza Dubai Marina. Other hoteliers in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and other emirates are repeating the same words. Football fans all over the world landed in the UAE, flew in from Doha and stayed in their hotels.
With eye-popping hotel room rates in Abu Dhabi between 18 and 20 November, the F1 race draws a fair amount of attention and stands alone amidst the buzz surrounding the kick-off in Doha.
Standard rooms are not available and some luxury hotels on Yas Island charge Dh45,000 to Dh90,000 for a two-night stay. Some of the more affordable rooms at these hotels will drop below Dh1,000 starting November 21, with prices likely to rise significantly once the knockout rounds begin.
Almost all standard rooms in five-, four- and three-star hotels in Dubai and Abu Dhabi are fully booked, according to Booking.com, the major UAE hotelier and travel aggregator. Pricier deluxe rooms and presidential suites are still up for grabs, priced at Dhs3,000 and up a night, and Dhs500 to Dhs1,000 on less frenetic days.
Last-minute bookings surge
“Our room rates have increased by 20% compared to last month,” said Sylvia Matei, hotel manager for Holiday Inn Dubai Al Maktoum Airport and Staybridge Suites Dubai Al Maktoum Airport cluster.
Those looking to book hotel rooms for the World Cup in the first half of December are advised to book now as there are affordable options in Abu Dhabi ranging from AED 560 to AED 750 per night.
“Occupancy was already high across all Premier Inn hotels during the World Cup and we had a surge in last-minute bookings as kick-off approached,” said Simon Leigh, managing director of Premier Inn MENA. “With 11 hotels in the region – seven in Dubai, two in Abu Dhabi and two in Doha – we are preparing for one of the busiest periods in the history of the Middle East.”
Multiple entry tourist visa for football fans in UAE
Most visitors to the UAE for the World Cup plan to stay in the country and will take shuttle flights to Doha for the game. “The UAE government’s decision to allow World Cup ticket holders to apply for a multiple-entry 90-day tourist visa at a discounted rate of AED 100 has proven to be a brilliant move,” said Karim Abdelhamid, vice president of hotel operations at The First Group.
Thousands of fans decided to use the UAE as their base, flying in and out of Qatar to watch the game.
– Karim Abdelhamid, Vice President Hospitality Operations, The First Group
Watching games in the UAE
Surprisingly, many overseas tourists choose to watch the game in various viewing areas in the UAE. “We’ve also had inquiries from European and South American guests who are interested in staying at the hotel to watch the games, which we showcase on the Lo+Cale outdoor patio,” Tamara said. The World Cup, which coincides with the peak season for inbound tourists, will boost the tourism and hospitality industries and reinforce the UAE’s position as the world’s leading tourist destination. “Depending on the geographic region, the requirements and guest profiles will vary,” Tamara said.
We are seeing more single and double occupancy bookings from the UK and Israel. We are also seeing more family bookings from Saudi Arabia.
– Tamara Salha, General Manager, Crowne Plaza Dubai Marina
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