Hotels offer “domestic tourism” packages that include discounts on restaurants and entertainment activities

Hotels have begun to launch packages for domestic tourism, which include accommodation for one night or more, and discounts on restaurants and entertainment activities. These packages mainly focus on the family segment, and give guests flexibility in early check-in and late check-out.

Officials in the hospitality sector said that hotels have begun offering these packages in a step aimed at encouraging residents to spend short vacations and benefit from hospitality facilities, pointing out that these packages contribute to stimulating local demand and enhancing hotel occupancy.

They confirmed that the demand for packages is witnessing a significant increase, especially among families and youth, and is largely concentrated on weekends, with expectations of an increase in demand during the Eid al-Fitr holiday, in light of the diversity of tourism experiences and advanced infrastructure that Dubai provides to its visitors.

Hotel offers

In detail, hotels have begun launching packages for domestic tourism that include various offers that include a stay for one night or more, and also include discounts on stays as a whole, and on restaurants and entertainment activities.

The offers focus mainly on families, by providing children’s activities, various dining options, and use of hotel facilities. These packages also give guests flexibility in early check-in and late check-out, and to benefit from entertainment facilities.

According to many active offers on hotel websites, these offers often provide direct discounts on hotel room prices, usually ranging between 25 and 30% when booking directly using the Emirates ID.

The offers also provide cash credits for use in restaurants or physical therapy facilities, in addition to special benefits for families, such as children staying for free, or receiving free meals.

Tourist experiences

Regional Director of the Hyatt Hotel Group in Dubai and General Manager of the Grand Hyatt Hotel, Fathi Khojaly, told Emirates Today: “The aim of these packages is to encourage the country’s residents to explore tourist experiences and benefit from the world-class hospitality facilities that Dubai provides, including beaches, restaurants, swimming pools, and family and cultural activities.”

He added: “These packages play an essential role in stimulating the local hospitality and tourism sector during periods that witness a decline in international travel, and they also contribute to strengthening Dubai’s position as an integrated tourist destination that combines entertainment and family experiences.”

Khojali stressed that the demand for packages is witnessing a significant increase, especially among families and young people, which makes these initiatives an essential part of hotels’ strategies to enhance room occupancy.

He continued: “Hotels receive good reservations from the local market, including family events or companies that take the initiative to make reservations for their employees on iftar and suhoor invitations.”

Khojali said, “Domestic tourism constitutes an important tributary to the hospitality sector, as it contributes to enhancing occupancy rates, and at the same time provides a tourist experience for those wishing to spend holidays within the country.”

He added: “We notice an increase in reservations during weekends, as many of the country’s residents prefer to spend a short vacation to enjoy the services provided by hospitality facilities.”

Hotel strategy

In addition, the General Manager of the Copthorne Hotel – Dubai, Wael Al-Bahi, said, “Domestic tourism packages are an important part of the hotels’ strategy to enhance occupancy, especially during periods when demand for short holidays increases.”

He added: “The rate of reservations is more active on weekends, and we are now receiving new reservations for the occasion of Eid al-Fitr,” expecting occupancy rates to be greater during the Eid al-Fitr holiday.

He stressed that hotels are keen to design offers that provide additional value to guests, such as discounts on accommodation, meals included in the reservation, and the possibility of early check-in or late check-out depending on availability, in addition to entertainment offers and restaurants within the hotel.

Al-Bahi pointed out that Dubai provides an ideal environment for domestic tourism, thanks to the diversity of the tourism product and the advanced hospitality infrastructure, pointing out that families and groups constitute an important segment of the demand for domestic tourism packages.

He said, “The tourism sector in Dubai is highly flexible and is able to quickly adapt to global changes, thanks to strategic planning and strong partnership between the public and private sectors.”

An ideal destination

In the same context, the CEO of Time Hotels Group, Mohamed Awadallah, said, “Domestic tourism packages include discounts on accommodation prices and food and beverage services, as part of an effort to motivate the country’s residents to take advantage of the various hospitality options.”

He added: “The offers are designed to provide a comprehensive accommodation experience for families and residents of the country with competitive prices,” noting that “domestic tourism is one of the important drivers of hospitality sector activity throughout the year.”

Awadallah pointed out that Dubai has strong elements that make it an ideal destination, thanks to the diversity of the tourism product, advanced infrastructure, and activities that visitors can enjoy.

He said, “The tourism sector in Dubai continues to confirm its strength and ability to grow, supported by world-class infrastructure and a great diversity of tourism products that meet the needs of different visitors.”

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