DUBAI, 11 August 2007 — “Dubai’s skyline presents a big difference,” I told the taxi driver while heading to Radisson Media City.
“When did you visit Dubai last,” Pakistani driver Aslam Pervez asked.
“I was here only a few months ago,” I said.
“What are you talking about, sir. The skyline changes by the day — in fact by the hour. Look at the hundreds of constructions in progress all around,” he said.
“If such developments continue for the next five or 10 years, believe me, sir, Dubai will be on par with Singapore and Hong Kong if not ahead of them.”
Dubai’s real estate and tourism industries are booming as oil prices rise and the government pushes for ways to invest the profits.
This is the emirate where world’s tallest tower Burj Dubai (Dubai Tower) is coming up. When completed, it will have 160 floors and 56 elevators. In fact, a year and a half ahead of completion and already 512 meters tall, the skyscraper has become the world’s tallest building, according to its developers. If independently confirmed, it will take over as No. 1 from the Taipei 101 in Taiwan, which has dominated the world’s skyline at 508 meters since 2004.
The final height of the Burj, which is expected to be finished by the end of 2008, is a closely guarded secret. Emaar, the state-owned development company, is only willing to say that construction work will stop sometime after the tower reaches 700 meters.
Demand for accommodation here is continuously rising from both tourists and business executives. The accomplishment of Dubai as a fast-emerging tourist destination is complemented by the fact that it has year-round events for both leisure and business travelers who visit from all over the world.
The current rush of visitors is due to the 10th edition of Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS), which is in full swing with attractive sales and shopping discounts and top-notch entertainment facilities to boot. The emirate is increasingly seen as a destination of choice for travelers from around the world.
“Supporting the government’s initiative to make Dubai a year-round tourist destination is the hospitality industry that offers several incentives to attract visitors to enjoy the leisure facilities in the emirate,” Abdul Siraj Cheringal, revenue manager, Coral Deira, Dubai, said.
With Dubai’s rising popularity on the tourism graph, the hospitality industry in the emirate is reaping rich dividends and Dubai hotels are busy throughout the year owing to the influx of inbound tourists.
“Catering to a wide spectrum of visitors, its hotels have been receiving a good turnout of leisure as well as business travelers since the beginning of this year and the trend continues even in summer, boosted further by the holiday season and the DSS,” he added.
In a report published by the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), the total revenues of Dubai hotels and hotel apartments crossed the AED11-billion mark in 2006. In fact, the year 2007 began on a very positive note for hotels and hotel apartments in Dubai that posted record-breaking figures for the first quarter of the year. Dubai scored a world record when its hotel establishments recorded the highest occupancy and revenues in the month of January 2007, leaving behind Hong Kong, Sydney, Tokyo and London in occupancy levels.
Majed Al-Aridi, Dubai Marine Beach Resort & Spas’ director of sales & marketing commented, “Owing to Dubai’s continued success in providing excellent service and facilities, the emirate has witnessed an impressive increase in visitor numbers. Approximately, 30 to 35 percent increase has been seen from the mid of May till date in the number of arrivals as compared to last year’s figures, especially guest numbers from the GCC and the UK have been on the rise.”
“During summer, we usually offer competitive and attractive special summer package rates to our international guests. And as we all know the Dubai Summer Surprises or DSS is the most famous and the biggest incentive that is being provided for families. As such guests from all over the world have the chance to receive a rewarding and yet memorable experience to be with their families, friends and loved ones,” he said.
The Radisson SAS Hotel, Dubai Deira Creek, also confirmed that they have witnessed an increase in occupancy since the start of summer mainly due to leisure travelers and families who come to visit Dubai for the Dubai Summer Surprises.
Andreas Fluckiger, general manager of Radisson SAS, Deira, said, “The majority of our guests during the summer are from the GCC. However, we do have a good crowd mix of European, Asian and Middle Eastern guests.”
Shazad Zia, revenue manager of Moevenpick Hotel, Bur Dubai, adds, “The occupancy increase has been continuous and very much positive.”
