Budget hoteliers in the Emirates are eager to expand as the global economic slowdown looks likely to have an impact on its high-end competition.
"Whenever there's an economic crisis, budget hotels are the ones less impacted because our prices are more competitive," said Darroch Crawford, the managing director of Premier Inn in the Middle East.
The British budget hotel chain, which has a partnership with Emirates Group in the region, is planning a rapid expansion in the UAE after securing several sites in Dubai, Ras al Khaimah, Umm al Qaiwain, Abu Dhabi and Fujairah to develop six hotels.
"There will be two hotels in Dubai located in the Silicon Oasis and another near the airport, while one hotel will be developed in the remaining emirates," said Mr Crawford.
The Dubai hotels would be completed by the end of next year and the remaining hotels by 2010, he said. "We have an equal share partnership with Emirates, so as a company we both own and operate the hotel, unlike the traditional business model of just having a single management contact," Mr Crawford said.
The cost of developing a hotel was about Dh150 million (US$40.8m), he said, while rates would start at Dh495 per night, including tax and service charges.
Gerald Lawless, the executive chairman of the Jumeirah Group, owners and operators of the seven-star Burj Al Arab in Dubai, said Dubai led global hotel statistics with an average room rate of US$283 (Dh1,040) last year.
Other Gulf cities also topped the $200 mark last year. "The average rates we are now enjoying may level off, but I don't see them decreasing," he said.
Premier Inn already has a hotel open in Dubai Investment Park.
"We have been open for about four months in Dubai and so far about 80 per cent of guests are business travellers - there's a huge potential in that segment," Mr Crawford said.
The company is targeting Saudi Arabia, Oman and Qatar, and aims to operate more than 6,000 rooms in the GCC region by 2012. "The hotels in these countries will be slightly smaller, with about 200 rooms instead of 300, because we still don't know these markets, and by having a smaller hotel it would minimise the risks involved," Mr Crawford said.
Other hoteliers have also started developing the budget end of the market. Earlier this year, the French group Accor Hospitality announced plans to open 90 hotels in the Middle East by 2011, predominantly under its three- and four-star brands, Ibis and Novotel. "There are too many people in the luxury and five-star area in the UAE," said Eric Lepleux, the chief marketing officer for Accor Hospitality.
By the end of 2010, the company hopes to have 55 hotels in the region, up from the current 35. Since May, the company has set out to open a hotel in the region every month until 2010.
abakr@thenational.ae
What is Folia?
Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal's new plant-based menu will launch at Four Seasons hotels in Dubai this November. A desire to cater to people looking for clean, healthy meals beyond green salad is what inspired Prince Khaled and American celebrity chef Matthew Kenney to create Folia. The word means "from the leaves" in Latin, and the exclusive menu offers fine plant-based cuisine across Four Seasons properties in Los Angeles, Bahrain and, soon, Dubai.
Kenney specialises in vegan cuisine and is the founder of Plant Food Wine and 20 other restaurants worldwide. "I’ve always appreciated Matthew’s work," says the Saudi royal. "He has a singular culinary talent and his approach to plant-based dining is prescient and unrivalled. I was a fan of his long before we established our professional relationship."
Folia first launched at The Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills in July 2018. It is available at the poolside Cabana Restaurant and for in-room dining across the property, as well as in its private event space. The food is vibrant and colourful, full of fresh dishes such as the hearts of palm ceviche with California fruit, vegetables and edible flowers; green hearb tacos filled with roasted squash and king oyster barbacoa; and a savoury coconut cream pie with macadamia crust.
In March 2019, the Folia menu reached Gulf shores, as it was introduced at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, where it is served at the Bay View Lounge. Next, on Tuesday, November 1 – also known as World Vegan Day – it will come to the UAE, to the Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach and the Four Seasons DIFC, both properties Prince Khaled has spent "considerable time at and love".
There are also plans to take Folia to several more locations throughout the Middle East and Europe.
While health-conscious diners will be attracted to the concept, Prince Khaled is careful to stress Folia is "not meant for a specific subset of customers. It is meant for everyone who wants a culinary experience without the negative impact that eating out so often comes with."
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
The years Ramadan fell in May
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
Guide to intelligent investing
Investing success often hinges on discipline and perspective. As markets fluctuate, remember these guiding principles:
- Stay invested: Time in the market, not timing the market, is critical to long-term gains.
- Rational thinking: Breathe and avoid emotional decision-making; let logic and planning guide your actions.
- Strategic patience: Understand why you’re investing and allow time for your strategies to unfold.
Vidaamuyarchi
Director: Magizh Thirumeni
Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra
Rating: 4/5
Cryopreservation: A timeline
- Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic
- Ovarian tissue surgically removed
- Tissue processed in a high-tech facility
- Tissue re-implanted at a time of the patient’s choosing
- Full hormone production regained within 4-6 months
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The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
MATCH INFO
Who: France v Italy
When: Friday, 11pm (UAE)
TV: BeIN Sports
Company%C2%A0profile
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COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.