Small toll from Salik for Dubai’s hoteliers

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Before Salik’s introduction some hoteliers feared extra costs and traffic changes.

Dubai hoteliers are reporting that the introduction of Salik road tolls on Sheikh Zayed Road has not had an overly negative effect on business.

Before the tolls were introduced, some hoteliers expressed concerns the tolls would increase operational costs by raising prices of airport transfers and deliveries, and could lead to worse traffic around hotels.

But Ramee Guestline Deira Hotel general manager Syed Mushir said any increases in traffic caused by drivers avoiding Garhoud Bridge had been absorbed by the opening of a new floating bridge, leaving traffic conditions around his property unchanged.

Hilton Dubai Creek and Hilton Dubai Jumeirah public relations manager Katherine Anthony agreed, saying the tolls had not made any noticeable difference to traffic around either property.

"This may be because it is possible to get to both hotels without passing through Salik, although we haven't researched whether visitors are actively avoiding Salik charges when they come to our hotels," she said.

"The Salik toll for airport transfers to Hilton Dubai Jumeirah have been absorbed by the hotel. On an average day you can have around 120 rooms checking-in or out, and the majority of them will be going to or from the airport.

"There's no toll from the airport to Hilton Dubai Creek, so it's not an issue there," she added.

Radisson SAS Hotel Dubai Media City sales and marketing director Lars Gericke said the hotel's internal suppliers had increased charges, and guests were complaining that they were being offered two different rates and lengths of travel - for routes using Salik or alternative roads.

He said the hotel did not pass on any of the Salik fees to the guests, but overall the property had not seen any negative effects on its business from the introduction of the tolls.

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