The pools and waterpark at Centara Mirage Beach Resort Dubai. The total number of hotel guests in the UAE in the first half of the year increased 42% to reach 12 million. Chris Whiteoak / The National
The pools and waterpark at Centara Mirage Beach Resort Dubai. The total number of hotel guests in the UAE in the first half of the year increased 42% to reach 12 million. Chris Whiteoak / The National
The pools and waterpark at Centara Mirage Beach Resort Dubai. The total number of hotel guests in the UAE in the first half of the year increased 42% to reach 12 million. Chris Whiteoak / The National
The pools and waterpark at Centara Mirage Beach Resort Dubai. The total number of hotel guests in the UAE in the first half of the year increased 42% to reach 12 million. Chris Whiteoak / The National

UAE hotel room supply to increase 25% by 2030, Knight Frank says


Deena Kamel
  • English
  • Arabic

The UAE plans to add 48,000 hotel rooms by 2030, 25 per cent more than its existing supply of 200,000 rooms, as more international travellers continue to flock to the Gulf tourism hub.

The delivery of the planned hotel room supply is forecast to cost about $32 billion, with a focus on luxury properties, global consultancy Knight Frank said. Some 70 per cent of all planned rooms will fall in the four-star and five-star categories.

"The success of the UAE’s hospitality market means international operators are keen to continue cementing their presence. Indeed, the proportion of international operators to local ones is set to rise to 60 per cent, from 56 per cent today," Faisal Durrani, partner and head of Middle East research at Knight Frank, said.

The UAE expects to see a “strong tourism recovery” this winter, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, said earlier this month. The total number of hotel guests in the UAE in the first half of the year increased by 42 per cent to reach 12 million. The tourism sector’s revenue exceeded Dh19bn during the first six months of 2022.

Some 76 per cent of the new hotel rooms will open in Dubai, which already has more than 130,000 hotel keys. The stockpile is already higher than cities such as London or New York.

Factors such as the government's response to the Covid-19 pandemic, along with a growing list of attractions and the emirate being named Trip Advisor’s most popular destination for 2022, "strongly point to room for further growth and expansion of this all-important pillar in the economy”, Mr Durrani said.

Dubai welcomed about 8.1 million international visitors in the first seven months of 2022. Government data showed this was an almost threefold increase compared with a year ago, surpassing the total for all of 2021. The emirate, whose tourism sector has recovered significantly from the pandemic, hosted 7.28 million visitors in 2021.

Knight Frank’s analysis showed that a growing number of international hotel operators were seeking to be part of the UAE's hospitality market.

Hilton Hotels will add the most rooms overall, with close to 5,000 new keys expected by the end of the decade, a 43 per cent increase from today, Mr Durrani said.

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Inside Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah - in pictures

  • Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah has opened in Dubai. All photos: Antonie Robertson / The National
    Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah has opened in Dubai. All photos: Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Located on Palm West Beach, the hotel has more than 600 rooms and 10 dining venues.
    Located on Palm West Beach, the hotel has more than 600 rooms and 10 dining venues.
  • The 65-metre-long swimming pool has ocean views and a swim-up bar.
    The 65-metre-long swimming pool has ocean views and a swim-up bar.
  • Children have their own Pirates Kids Club, complete with life-size pirate boat.
    Children have their own Pirates Kids Club, complete with life-size pirate boat.
  • Mowsem, which is Arabic for seasons, is the hotel's all-day dining restaurant.
    Mowsem, which is Arabic for seasons, is the hotel's all-day dining restaurant.
  • Inside the soon-to-open Trader Vic's at Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah.
    Inside the soon-to-open Trader Vic's at Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah.
  • The hotel's Eforea Spa is Hilton's second UAE outpost of the upscale brand.
    The hotel's Eforea Spa is Hilton's second UAE outpost of the upscale brand.
  • Spa facilities include a stunning wet room and relaxation area for men and women.
    Spa facilities include a stunning wet room and relaxation area for men and women.
  • The openness and sense of space in the lobby welcomes guests to relax and unwind.
    The openness and sense of space in the lobby welcomes guests to relax and unwind.
  • Barfly by Buddha Lounge at the newly opened Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah.
    Barfly by Buddha Lounge at the newly opened Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah.
  • All rooms and suites have balconies to guarantee Dubai skyline views.
    All rooms and suites have balconies to guarantee Dubai skyline views.
  • Claw BBQ, set to open in September, will offer American fare.
    Claw BBQ, set to open in September, will offer American fare.
  • Guests can order poolside food and drinks from Zinc Pool Bar.
    Guests can order poolside food and drinks from Zinc Pool Bar.
  • Set on its own stretch of shoreline, Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah will open a new beach club this winter.
    Set on its own stretch of shoreline, Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah will open a new beach club this winter.
  • Guests can get their sweat on in the fitness suite.
    Guests can get their sweat on in the fitness suite.
  • The team are ready to greet guests checking into the Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah.
    The team are ready to greet guests checking into the Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah.

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Knight Frank estimates that by 2030, the Accor Group will cement its place as UAE’s largest hotel room operator, with close to 25,000 rooms under management.

International and local operators such as IHG, Marriott International and Rotana said during the Future Hospitality Summit in Dubai last week that they were bullish on the UAE's growth prospects. This came amid a rise in tourist numbers and the coming Fifa World Cup in Qatar in November.

“The UAE’s three biggest cities ― Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah ― continue to lead the region in terms of hotel performance," Turab Saleem, partner and head of tourism and hospitality at Knight Frank, said.

Saudi Arabia is set for a "sea change in demand" as business and leisure travel begins to overwhelm the existing supply. This will lead to higher room rates and annual daily rates, while the existing number of hotel rooms remains inadequate for the expected demand, Mr Saleem said.

Saudi Arabia is pushing ahead with an ambitious hospitality development programme that will see more than 275,000 hotel rooms built across the kingdom over the course of the decade at a total cost of $110 billion, Knight Frank said.

"The region’s transforming hospitality sector is set to create a very attractive proposition for global travellers," Mr Saleem said.

The bio

Favourite book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Favourite travel destination: Maldives and south of France

Favourite pastime: Family and friends, meditation, discovering new cuisines

Favourite Movie: Joker (2019). I didn’t like it while I was watching it but then afterwards I loved it. I loved the psychology behind it.

Favourite Author: My father for sure

Favourite Artist: Damien Hurst

Abu Dhabi GP schedule

Friday: First practice - 1pm; Second practice - 5pm

Saturday: Final practice - 2pm; Qualifying - 5pm

Sunday: Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (55 laps) - 5.10pm

Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

Classification of skills

A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation. 

A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.

The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000. 

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Healthy tips to remember

Here, Dr Mohamed El Abiary, paediatric consultant at Al Zahra Hospital Dubai, shares some advice for parents whose children are fasting during the holy month of Ramadan:

Gradual fasting and golden points - For children under the age of 10, follow a step-by-step approach to fasting and don't push them beyond their limits. Start with a few hours fasting a day and increase it to a half fast and full fast when the child is ready. Every individual's ability varies as per the age and personal readiness. You could introduce a points system that awards the child and offers them encouragement when they make progress with the amount of hours they fast

Why fast? - Explain to your child why they are fasting. By shedding light on the importance of abstaining from food and drink, children may feel more encouraged to give it there all during the observance period. It is also a good opportunity to teach children about controlling urges, doing good for others and instilling healthy food habits

Sleep and suhoor - A child needs adequate sleep every night - at least eight hours. Make sure to set a routine early bedtime so he/she has sufficient time to wake up for suhoor, which is an essential meal at the beginning of the day

Good diet - Nutritious food is crucial to ensuring a healthy Ramadan for children. They must refrain from eating too much junk food as well as canned goods and snacks and drinks high in sugar. Foods that are rich in nutrients, vitamins and proteins, like fruits, fresh meats and vegetables, make for a good balanced diet

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Desert Warrior

Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley

Director: Rupert Wyatt

Rating: 3/5

The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Part three: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

In numbers: China in Dubai

The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000

Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000

Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000

Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000

Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent

What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE

Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.

Updated: September 27, 2022, 10:59 AM