DUBAI IS GLORIOUS, SAY HOLIDAY MAKERS

Business as usual in region’s leisure spots and commercial hubs

Dubai beach hotels complete the fourth consecutive month of near full-house occupancies, while region-based opportunists take advantage of cut-price breaks in Jordan and the Levant where rates have been driven down by fears of a war-torn Middle East.

Such reports of trouble have given rise to a high number of cancellations, particularly from the US market into Lebanon and Egypt, according to a top hotel official.

Le Meridien Hotels and Resorts’ Russel Sharpe, senior vice president, sales and marketing, Middle East and West Asia said that while it is understandable that inbound travel into Israel has hit an all time low, the rest of the region is unaffected by recent hostilities : "The Gulf region, for example, is more than a thousand miles away from Israel and the streets of Dubai and other regional cities are bustling."

Sharpe’s observations are backed up by Copenhagen-based, Robert Turnbull, a recent 12-day stay guest at Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina : "I have just spent a wonderful time with my wife and two young children. The weather is just right, the city is interesting and the beach wonderful," he said.

He said that he considers the Levant and certainly the Gulf States to be safe for leisure and business trips.

If hotel occupancies are any thing to go by if seems that Turnbull is not alone in his opinion. Dubai, the unofficial commercial capital of the region, has experienced record breaking occupancies and room yields in its beach properties.

While, city hotels also performed well, particularly during November, leveraged by the region’s leading IT exhibition, Gitex, which is said to have attracted a record 80,000 visitors into the emirate.

"While recently, Summit Dubai symposium gathered global bluechips for a two-day conference, including board management from leading names such as Microsoft, Oracle, Cisco Systems, Arthur Andersen and more," said Sharpe.

Le Meridien too hosted the annual General Manager’s meeting in Dubai, gathering more than 175 senior management from worldwide locations.

Bahrain also has staged major exhibitions such as the Gulf Jewellery exhibition, with top names such as Cartier, Bulgari, Rolex present.

Elsewhere in the region, Doha, the capital of Qatar, played host the annual gathering of Islamic leaders and dignitaries, last month.

While, Fujairah, on the east of the United Arab Emirates was the venue for the World Powerboat championship, with Dubai hosting a similar event later in the month. Le Meridien is opening their fifth hotel in the Emirates, the 23rd in the region, in Fujairah in 2002, further underlining the chain’s confidence in the market.

He said that such activities indicate the ‘business-as-usual’ attitude that depicts the true situation of the region.

"The Middle East is a key mover and shaker equipped to play a leading role in the global economy, "he said. "Further more, initiatives like the Dubai Internet City inauguration just days ago further signifies that there is no room for concern."

However, some markets, such as Lebanon and Jordan, have experienced cancellations from overseas, particularly travellers from the United States who are not so familiar with the region’s geography. Operators and hoteliers have responded by cutting tour prices and room rates in an attempt to entice travellers from the region.

A five-day package to Amman and Petra from the Gulf can be bought at $700, inclusive flights and bed and breakfast at a five-star hotel.