Working the weekends

zoom

Jumeirah Emirates Towers general manager Yannis Anagnostakis says the term ‘traditional business hotel' should not be limiting if creative packages are developed to attract leisure travellers as well.

How was business at Emirates Towers during the first six months of 2009?

Yannis Anagnostakis: Business levels at Jumeirah Emirates Towers are satisfactory. The most significant change  that we have witnessed is with regards to booking patterns; both business and leisure travellers who are used to luxury will continue to travel both to the UAE and further afield, but are looking for better value for their money and tend to book closer to the travel date rather than well in advance.

While our hotel continues to serve the business travellers from across the globe, as the supply of hotel rooms in the city centre has increased and demand pressure has eased, we are now able to pursue alternative sources of business and we can start to diversify our customer base.

What have been the best and worst months of 2009?

February and March have been our most successful months thus far, with an average 65%-70% occupancy. These are traditionally high-performing months as the city of Dubai is in high demand at that time, due to both leisure and business travel patterns. The most challenging month was April, which developed into a purely ‘leisure' month due to several international holidays.

Why does Jumeirah Emirates Towers  offer special packages during summer?

Traditionally, during the summer months, corporate business levels slow down; we have therefore opted to add value in order to appeal to a broader guest base and for this purpose we have developed several ‘experience' packages that are available throughout the year which appeal to city leisure travellers.

Emirates Towers is also participating in Jumeirah Summer Days, which is a package developed for Jumeirah on a group level, including our hotels in London and New York.

How did you come up with the current Weekending package?

The Weekending package was created with the needs of discerning leisure travellers in mind. Jumeirah Emirates Towers offers an ideal city lifestyle break and access to the beach and Wild Wadi Water Park make the offer even more attractive. Our Boulevard is widely recognised as Dubai's most fashionable retail destination and it was only natural for us to include a retail component in the Weekending package.

What is the key to the success of the special package?

Our aim was to bring to the market a package that was irresistible and transparent; a package that is at the right price points, without hidden fees. We're fortunate to have a seamless link with our sister properties, most specifically Madinat Jumeirah and Jumeirah Beach Hotel, and therefore our guests are able to use the facilities and charge this to their room account at Jumeirah Emirates Towers.

Our sister properties have this facility available for specific packages.

Why do traditional business hotels need to try and entice the leisure guest?

The label ‘traditional business hotel' is not intended to be limiting. Luxury city hotels around the globe in cities like New York, London and Paris create their own destination within the destination and are successful in serving leisure travellers who are seeking unique experiences. Dubai can be no exception and Jumeirah Emirates Towers is right there in the centre offering a wide range of leisure facilities including a shopping destination, award-winning restaurants and bars, a spa, gym and health club, and a unique indoor golfing facility, combined with access to Madinat Jumeirah beach and Wild Wadi Water Park.

Print | Email | Discuss this article

| Share |

READERS' COMMENTS

Click here to post a comment

Add your Comment All posts are sent to the administrator for review and are published only after approval. ArabianBusiness.com reserves the right to remove any comment at any time for any reason. Please keep your responses appropriate and on topic. Arabian Business would like to point out that only comments relevant to the story will be published. Any containing personal insults or inappropriate language will not be approved.
Name *
Remember me on this computer
Email *	(Your email address will not be published)
City
Country
Subject *
Comment *
Notify me of further comments
Enter the words above *
Please click post only once - your comment will not be published immediately.

MORE FROM ARABIANBUSINESS.COM