TravTalk Middle East Online Magazine
More than 3,000 exhibitors, including 70 new exhibitors, from 100 countries are expected to participate in the World Travel Market (WTM), TRAVTALK to be held in London from 7 to 9 November 2022. talks to industry champions.
HE Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority
Sharjah Commerce & Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) is pleased to return to WTM this year – an invaluable platform for raising Sharjah’s profile globally. We look forward to showcasing several mega projects and brand new developments before WTM’s global audience comprising more than 51,000 senior travel professionals, government ministers, and thought leaders and tourists. Through these path breaking developments, Sharjah is making forays into the future of sustainable travel and tourism, while also renewing its commitment to strategies to promote the travel sector through the consistent adoption of industry’s best practices. WTM, with its large audience of industry professionals, is an ideal platform for us to remind the world that Sharjah is a favourite family destination and is the go-to emirate for an authentic glimpse into the traditions and lifestyle of the UAE. Through this participation, SCTDA and all participating entities will continue on its mission to place the emirate in the spotlight within the most prominent tourism and travel events and forums locally and internationally.
Northern Emirates big attraction
Nestled in the northern Emirates, Coral Beach Resort Sharjah and Bahi Ajman Palace is home to some of the best kept secrets when it comes to sandy beaches in the UAE.
Europeans have been a key source market to the northern Emirates over the past many years. Winter in the UAE is enjoyed by European travellers over the years and they have become the most loyal market for the destination. Iftikhar Hamdani, Area General Manager – Northern Emirates – Coral Beach Resort Sharjah and Bahi Ajman Palace Hotel, says, “European Market is very important for us. UAE hotels enjoy good occupancy by the European tourists round the year, particularly in winter season.”
UAE’s position in air connectivity play an integral part to receive the repeat visitors from the European and Scandinavian destinations. Germany has been a strong source market to the UAE and their attraction to seek a leisure resort even during their business stay has made it a pleasurable bleisure stay. Hamdani shares, “A good air connectivity, state of the art infrastructure, security and innovation are the main reason that European love to visit UAE and numbers are increasing every year. Scandinavians, UK, German speaking countries are frequent visitors of our hotels, but our main European market is Germany, which stands No. 2 in our overall nationality mix. High speed internet, and almost every Scandinavian love to have balconies in the resorts. Our major tourists are visiting for the leisure as we have beach resort with many leisure facilities, at the same time, there are solo European travellers visit us for business. We have many family tourists in our resort and for overall Ajman and Sharjah destination. Northern Emirates is hub for the European tourists since years and years and hotels are enjoying consistent loyalty from this market.”
Stunning views speak volumes
Providing a panoramic view of the world’s iconic tower Burj Khalifa and the famous manmade Dubai canal, Park Regis Business Bay is a bleisure precinct that resonates the cosmopolitan city.
Muhammad Mujtaba Haider – General Manager – Park Regis Business Bay, shared, “As our slogan says it all “The most beautiful view is the one we share with you”. While staying in spacious deluxe room, guests can enjoy breathtaking panoramic view of Burj Khalifa and Dubai Canal by booking Panoramic room. Also rooms are available for determined guests. Families step into a stress-free vacation and unwind in the comfort and amenities of our spacious Junior suite. Guests can indulge their taste buds while dining in Food Souq at lobby level, offers wide range of Mediterranean, Continental and Asian cuisines. Guests can also order from Manas Café authentic Uzbek and Kyrgyzstan cuisines at lobby level. An outdoor, temperature-controlled swimming pool with safety precautions and manned with lifeguard to assure safety of our guests and their loved ones. Fully equipped fitness centre to rejuvenate and keep healthy, young, and fit. The hotel SPA provides the guests with the perfect treatment from Deep tissue massage to Lava bamboo massage, specially designed to help our guests achieve the perfect mind- body harmony after their travels. Meeting rooms are available to cater working groups, corporate trainings, small seminars and trainings with all required audio/ visual support. Can be booked on competitive DDR packages. Hotel is positioned well in market and capturing fair share from all segments, be it leisure, corporate, solo travellers or families. Close to iconic Burj Khalifa, one of the biggest mall The Dubai Mall, spectacular dancing fountains and so much more to offer when all vacation activities are at walking distance.
Private beaches bring higher yield
For a hotel to have its own private beach means that it will be able to provide more leisure activities around the sea and the shore such as jet skiing, paddle boating and family activities.
Ravi Santiago – Cluster General Manager – Ramada Hotel & Suites by Wyndham, Ajman Ramada By Wyndham Beach Hotel, Ajman Wyndham Garden Ajman Corniche, explains, “Europe inbound travellers are perceived to have higher purchasing power depending on the target market and our location, which could result in higher yielding opportunities. Further, it gives a balanced diversity to our business mix without depending on few markets. Some of the European guests we experience are from Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, and France.”
He adds, “Certainly, it depends on the marketing strategies and focus of specific hotels. An all-time popular request we receive is for an all-inclusive stay on the beach or at least in proximity to the beach. Most of our guests are leisure travellers with families as our hotels provide a relaxing ambiance and a homely feeling with a natural virgin beach at attractive rates. If you are looking for a relaxing getaway with a wide variety of flavoursome cuisine and a quiet, clean beach, Wyndham Hotels Ajman is the place for you.”
Stay near the view of the future
Walking into the Museum of Future in Dubai across The Tower Plaza hotel and then dipping into the infinity pool or chill at view@61 is the way European bleisure travellers enjoy the city.
Nuran Kilani – Director of Sales and Marketing – The Tower Plaza Hotel, says, “Our source markets are German, UK, Benelux, India, Australia, US, Israel, Latin America, Iran, Middle East, CIS & GCC and China is coming back soon, as agents here have started working on the preparations for them. We have a good mix of Nationality showing that Dubai is really a cosmopolitan city.” One of the key unique points are the accessibility to the hotel. Europeans travel with sustainability in mind, for them to walk out of the airport then walk into a metro and walk out straight into the hotel is a different experience. The Tower Plaza hotel has its advantage due to this, as it is the most accessible hotel in the area. Kilani shares that their welcome and the exceptional service is key to receive repeat clients to the hotel. “We provide a great arrival and welcome experience, comfortable and luxurious accommodation, a variety of cuisine to choose from as well as exceptional service. Guests can chill by the infinity pool or at the view@61, where our guests can have mixed drinks tasting and looking just as the ‘original’, enjoying that it is alcohol-free,” she says.
