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by ArabianBusiness.com staff writer on Friday, 08 May 2009
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"Apart from utilising the opportunities created by a recessionary environment, hotels must continue implementing steps that create value in the long run," he said.
"They must resist the pressure to slash rates and provide a lesser-quality service."
However, O'Hanlon said significant investments made in the Middle East's tourism industry during the last decade will help it recover from the current economic downturn.
He said the challenges of global economic fall-out and dollar-pegged destinations becoming more expensive for UK and European travellers could be mitigated by new and existing hotel brands providing value for money. O'Hanlon predicted growth in budget and premium hotel options would ensure the Middle East navigated the global tourism downturn, which saw regional revenue per available room rates (RevPAR) drop by more than 10% from November 2008 to January 2009.
"Gulf countries have signalled they are willing to invest in long-term, sustainable tourism developments that appeal to a global audience," he said. "The hotel industry is viewed by these players as the driver in the development of their business and tourism sectors."
O'Hanlon said the region's underlying wealth and the appreciation of quality would ensure there would always be a call for premium accommodation, while mid-market and budget operators were well placed to gain ground over competitors if current economic conditions persisted beyond 2009.
Swiss-Belhotel Dubai
Gold Swiss-Belhotel Dubai has announced that the structural work on the soon-to-open hotel located in Bur Dubai is complete with the finishing touches being applied to the interiors for a July opening.
The four-storey hotel, located in Al Mina Road will feature 184 rooms and suites, and has been designed to appeal to a wide cross-section of market segments.
The property, which will exhibit at ATM, is a mid-market niche product featuring a business centre, meeting facilities and recreation facilities that include an outdoor rooftop swimming pool and day spa.
The MegaBorneo special planner
DMC MegaBorneo Tour Planner, which specialises in Borneo and Malaysia, will be bringing its recently-completed special-edition Borneo Travel Planner for travel trade partners in the Middle East and Iran to this year's ATM.
It features various unique holiday packages to Borneo, which use Brunei as the main gateway.
A selection of Brunei stopover packages are also featured from Dubai and Jeddah to Australia, New Zealand , Kuala Lumpur, Singapore or Bangkok using Royal Brunei Airlines, which flies from Dubai.
Al Diar Siji Hotel Fujairah GM Fouad Melhem talks to ATN
Why do you exhibit at Arabian Travel Market?
We have been exhibiting at ATM in the past and it has always been a well-attended event. We keep on participating at ATM because we see it as a great avenue for us to present our hotel and at the same time promote the Emirate of Fujairah.
With the present economic climate, we hope that as we go to the travel exhibitions where the market is, it will aid in bringing in leisure tourists and business travellers.
How has you hotel performed in 2009?
Despite the economy, we are off to a good start. As a business hotel, we have not been affected much as we cater more to business travellers. Although there has been a decline in arrivals from Europe, it has not affected our figures because there has been a significant increase in business from the UAE, the Middle East and Oceania from January to March compared to last year. The fact that we have also recently strengthened our conferencing facilities has helped too.
Why do you exhibit at Arabian Travel Market?
We have been exhibiting at ATM in the past and it has always been a well-attended event. We keep on participating at ATM because we see it as a great avenue for us to present our hotel and at the same time promote the Emirate of Fujairah.
With the present economic climate, we hope that as we go to the travel exhibitions where the market is, it will aid in bringing in leisure tourists and business travellers.
How has you hotel performed in 2009?
Despite the economy, we are off to a good start. As a business hotel, we have not been affected much as we cater more to business travellers. Although there has been a decline in arrivals from Europe, it has not affected our figures because there has been a significant increase in business from the UAE, the Middle East and Oceania from January to March compared to last year. The fact that we have also recently strengthened our conferencing facilities has helped too.
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