09 June 2010

Dubai defies recession with highest occupancy

Hoteliers looking for the green shoots of recovery globally should take heart from Dubai which has recorded an 8.4% growth of its occupancy figures for the first four months of this year.

Despite the global recession and the ash cloud, the emirate enjoyed a 77.4% occupancy rate for January to the end of April. The tourism board claims this means it has the highest hotel occupancy in the world for this period.

The figures were computed by analysts Deloitte which also looked at international revpars and found Dubai’s was also the highest internationally, at around £136 for the period.

Dubai’s International Airport has also seen a boost in passenger numbers. In April some 13.9% more passengers arrived compared to April 2009.

This means the year-to-date passenger numbers, at 15.2 million, represent an increase of 18.7%.

The opening of the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, and the Armani hotel, both this year, may also have influenced the emirate’s popularity.

And new developments such as the Palazzo Versace, the Royal Amwaj, the second One&Only hotel and a new Elizabetta Gucci boutique hotel, all lined up for the next 24 months, should continue the trend.

Director UK and Ireland for the Dubai government, department of tourism and commerce marketing Ian Scott said: "Occupancy increase for the first four months of the year clearly demonstrates Dubai’s resilience as a tourism destination as the world starts to emerge from the recent economic downturn.

Dubai has developed a strong offering which has a universal appeal with a host of exciting developments catering for all tastes and budgets."

by Dinah Hatch