Positive Sales Numbers for Marriott in Middle East and Africa

The Marriott Global Sales Office in Dubai has reported an impressive 20% growth in sales for 2008 across the Middle East and Africa.

The increase in sales has been attributed to a phenomenal 42% surge in online bookings as well as an increase in reservations through the Marriott Global Reservations Center – reflecting the resilience of the hospitality sector and its growth potential across the Middle East and Africa region. Egypt continued to be the favored leisure destination closely followed by Dubai, London, Paris and Vienna.

In his comments on the sales, Mr. Samir Daqqaq, Vice-President, Marriott Global Sales – Middle East & Africa, said, “In these very challenging times for business across the globe, we have achieved significant increase in sales, which epitomizes the innovative way of doing business at Marriott. Our multi-pronged approach helped us provide the sales impetus and maximizing our efforts – our Sales Revolution blitz reflects our proactive strategy to strengthen our relationships with our customers amidst the challenges.”

Marriott has recently launched a unique Sales Revolution Initiative aimed at drumming up business in the region during the tough economic slowdown.

The Sales Revolution Initiative involves Marriott International hotels across Middle East and Africa and the Marriott Global Sales network – including UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Turkey, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya and South Africa. As part of the initiative, Sales Blitzes are organized every Tuesday to customers in each city. Dressed in special Marriott Sales Revolution outfits, participants highlight the latest promotions and packages across the various markets.

The GSO has also launched what it calls the Imtiaz Program – an initiative specially targeting the government sector, which resulted in a whopping 71% increase in government segment bookings from the Middle East and Africa.

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