The hospitality sector is flexible… and “business and conference” reservations are in place and have not been cancelled

Hotel officials in Dubai said that business and conference sector reservations are in place and have not been cancelled, but rather have been rescheduled for later dates, stressing that the “rescheduling of appointments” reflects the firm confidence of international companies in the emirate, a major destination for business and major events, which makes the hotel market flexible and ready to receive a strong wave of activity during the coming period.

They added to Emirates Today that hotels in Dubai have shown a high level of flexibility in dealing with rescheduling reservations, by offering flexible options to customers, including changing dates without additional fees in many cases.

They stressed that Dubai possesses attractive elements that are difficult to replace, including a global infrastructure, advanced conference centers, an extensive air and logistical network, and an integrated business environment, in addition to its status as a global financial and commercial center that includes regional headquarters of international companies, and hosts large exhibitions and conferences throughout the year.

They explained that postponement is essentially a vote of confidence in Dubai, as when a company cancels an event, it often searches for an alternative or abandons that event, but when it postpones it, this means that it does not see an alternative to Dubai, and is only waiting for the most appropriate timing, pointing out that Dubai has proven over the past years its ability to deal with various challenges, which has strengthened the confidence of multinational companies in business continuity.

Hotel officials told Emirates Today that the conference and events market will witness a strong start starting next September and the following period, with the return of business and conference activity, in addition to an improvement in tourism demand.

A global destination

In detail, the regional director of the Hyatt Hotels Group in Dubai and the general manager of the Grand Hyatt Hotel, Fathi Khojali, said: “Dubai is a prominent global destination in the business tourism and conferences sector and annually hosts a huge number of major events,” noting that some events and conferences have been postponed to later dates due to the current circumstances, but hotel reservations have not been cancelled, but rather postponed in the same vein.

Khojali said: “We can say that reservations are in place,” pointing out that the great demand for Dubai as a destination for business and conferences still exists. Companies are still committed to holding their meetings and events in the emirate, but they choose a time more appropriate to the circumstances, and this in itself is a strong indicator of the great demand.

Khojaly explained, “Hotels are following the movement of postponed reservations, as new dates are set for most events, which means that revenues have been moved forward in time,” noting that some events, conferences, and related reservations at the group’s hotels have been postponed to a later period this year, in September and the following months.

Khojali stressed that “postponing is essentially a vote of confidence in Dubai,” noting that “when a company cancels an event, it often searches for an alternative or abandons that event, but when it postpones it, this means that it does not see an alternative to Dubai, and is only waiting for the most appropriate timing.” He said: “This is a clear message about the emirate’s position on the global business map.”

Khojali stressed that “Dubai has proven over the past years its ability to deal with various challenges, which has strengthened the confidence of multinational companies in business continuity,” pointing out that “the hotel sector has great indicators of a rapid recovery once the situation stabilizes.”

Challenges and opportunities

For his part, CEO of Carlton Hotels, Hosni Abdel Hadi, said: “Dubai’s strength lies in its ability to transform challenges into opportunities,” noting that the city possesses attractions that are difficult to replace in other destinations.

He added: “Dubai is not just a tourist destination, but rather an integrated business platform that has global infrastructure, advanced conference centers, and a flexible regulatory environment, all of which makes companies keen to return to holding their conferences even if their plans have been postponed,” stressing that “the bulk of reservations have been rescheduled and not cancelled.”

Abdul Hadi stressed that “Dubai’s air and logistical connectivity network plays a pivotal role in maintaining its attractiveness, as Dubai is one of the most connected cities in the world and can be easily reached from various continents. This is a decisive factor for companies that organize international conferences, so that the emirate remains the most efficient option in terms of access and organization.”

Abdul Hadi pointed out that Dubai’s status as a global financial and commercial center constitutes a fundamental foundation for continued demand for the business-related hospitality sector, as the emirate includes regional and global headquarters for a large number of companies, and hosts major exhibitions and conferences throughout the year, making it a permanent meeting point for businessmen and investors.

He pointed out that hotels in Dubai have shown a high level of flexibility in dealing with rescheduling reservations, by offering flexible options to customers, including changing dates without additional fees in many cases.

Strong flexibility

In a related context, the CEO of the Palazzo Versace Dubai Hotel and founder of the Palazzo Hospitality Company, Munther Darwish, said, “The hospitality market in Dubai continues to show strong flexibility,” stressing that “a large percentage of bookings for the business sector and conferences have only been postponed without cancellation, which reflects firm confidence in the emirate as a major destination for international companies and events.”

He explained that “the postponement means that the demand is still there, but it is postponed in time, and it is a positive indicator that reflects the commitment of customers to Dubai in the business sector, and the matter applies to leisure tourism as well,” pointing out that this matter enhances expectations of a strong return to activity during the coming period.

Darwish pointed out that “Dubai’s summer will witness a good performance supported by domestic tourism, as residents continue to benefit from hotel offers, which contributes to maintaining stable levels of occupancy.”

He expected the conference and events market to witness a strong start starting next September and in the following period, with the return of business and conference activity, in addition to an improvement in tourism demand, pointing out that the expected performance may exceed last year’s levels.

Darwish stressed that deferred demand constitutes a major factor in supporting growth, adding: “With the implementation of deferred reservations and the return of new demand, we are facing a real opportunity for an exceptional season that may be among the strongest in the sector’s history.”

He pointed out that Dubai’s attractiveness is based on a number of factors, including its strategic location, advanced infrastructure, and global connectivity network, in addition to its position as a prominent financial and commercial center.

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Al-Awa: Dubai’s global reputation plays a pivotal role in companies’ decisions

The general manager of the Tamani Marina Hotel, Walid Al-Awa, said, “Hotels have followed very flexible policies regarding the issue of hotel stays, and this flexibility strengthens the relationship with customers and assures them that the sector is a reliable partner, not just a destination, and work is done with them to ensure the success of their events, regardless of the timing.”

He pointed out that postponing the majority of reservations represents an early indicator of a rapid recovery, as the market could witness a strong recovery once conditions return to normal, adding: “When there is accumulated demand in the market, its return will be faster and more powerful.”

He stressed that “Dubai’s international reputation plays a pivotal role in companies’ decisions, and this reputation makes companies insist on holding their business and meetings in Dubai,” pointing out that “Dubai is known for its efficiency, high organization, and quality of services.”

Al-Awa pointed out that Dubai’s growing global role, whether as a financial, logistical or tourism centre, enhances its ability to attract international events, and this is reflected in the size of the events it hosts, and in the diversity of the sectors it represents.

He stressed that “the integration of sectors in Dubai, from aviation, transportation, hospitality and trade, creates an ideal environment for the flexibility of international business in Dubai,” noting that the business sector looks at the experience as a whole, with all its elements of ease of access, quality of accommodation, infrastructure, and an environment that supports business and flexible legislation.

He said, “These indicators are positive and evidence of confidence. The postponement is not a retreat, but rather a rearrangement of a market that enjoys high flexibility and solid global confidence, as Dubai continues to consolidate its position as one of the most important business centers in the world.”

• Dubai has proven, over the past years, its ability to deal with various challenges, which has strengthened the confidence of multinational companies in business continuity.