Hotel officials have reported that the demand for hotel apartments has reached significant levels as the events of "Expo 2020 Dubai" approach next October. They anticipate that the hotel apartment category will record full occupancy rates during the upcoming period, which will reflect in an increase in average prices. They added to "Emirates Today" that the average prices of hotel apartments are currently 15% to 20% higher compared to the same period last year, noting a substantial demand from exhibitors, companies, as well as consulates and embassies for accommodation in hotel apartments during the "Expo 2020 Dubai" events.
They explained that guests, who prefer to stay for extended periods during the exhibition, primarily choose hotel apartments due to the services they offer, particularly the kitchen and living room that provide larger living spaces.
**High Demand Details**
Mohammed Awad Allah, CEO of "Time Hotels Group," mentioned that the demand for hotel apartments has been gradually increasing recently, as more clients prefer this accommodation option. He pointed out that hotel apartments have always recorded high occupancy rates. Awad Allah stated, "With the approach of 'Expo 2020 Dubai,' we have begun to receive requests from companies and groups related to the exhibition," confirming that participants from various countries and companies have started booking or searching for accommodation for their staff members.
Awad Allah confirmed that the high demand for hotel apartments has contributed to the rise in current prices, or during the stay that coincides with the international exhibition events. He noted that the average prices of hotel apartments are currently 15% to 20% higher compared to the same period last year and expects this to continue rising in the forthcoming period and during "Expo 2020 Dubai."
He mentioned that the hotel market in Dubai maintained good occupancy rates during the COVID-19 pandemic, indicating that average occupancy levels in hotel apartments currently reach around 80%, with expectations of rising to 100% in the upcoming period. He added that a large portion of attendees or visitors to the international exhibition prefer hotel apartments as they stay longer in Dubai, noting that the majority of bookings received by hotel apartment establishments are for delegations and companies.
Awad Allah anticipated receiving bookings from regular tourists two to three weeks before the commencement of "Expo 2020 Dubai," confirming that the high demand for accommodation in Dubai by exhibition visitors will extend to other emirates, with all establishments preparing to offer promotional deals and packages for visitors.
**Average Prices**
For his part, Haitham Omar, the General Manager of "Al Jaddaf Rotana Hotel," stated that demand for hotel apartments has been high since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, with more clients preferring to stay in them due to the benefits they offer. Omar expected the pace of demand to increase in the upcoming period, indicating that the occupancy levels in the hotel exceeded 70%, noting that this is considered high, especially since the facility opened six months ago (during the pandemic).
He explained that the average prices for staying in hotel apartments have continuously risen since the onset of the pandemic amid high demand, stating that prices for hotel apartments are nearing pre-pandemic levels and are expected to exceed them during the last quarter of this year or at the beginning of 2022. Omar highlighted that hotel apartments offer spacious areas and services needed for long-term stays, emphasizing that they may be a better option for visitors to "Expo 2020 Dubai" who will spend more than a month in Dubai during the exhibition's events, while regular tourists are expected to prefer hotel rooms as their stays will be shorter.
Conversely, Walid Al-Awa, the General Manager of "Tamani Marina Hotel," stated that demand for hotel apartments has been steadily growing since the pandemic began, achieving very high occupancy rates compared to hotel facilities, mentioning that occupancy exceeded 90% during holiday periods. Al-Awa confirmed that there is high demand from exhibitors and companies, as well as consulates and embassies, to accommodate their delegations in hotel apartments during the "Expo 2020 Dubai" events starting in October, emphasizing that clients who prefer to stay for extended periods primarily choose hotel apartments due to the services they provide, especially kitchens and living rooms that offer larger living spaces.
He explained that hotel apartment prices have been continuously rising in recent months since the start of 2020, but they remain at acceptable levels, stating that as demand increases and occupancy rates exceed 90%, prices will gradually rise in accordance with demand levels. He mentioned that the hotel market in Dubai is characterized by significant diversity that meets the various needs of visitors to "Expo 2020 Dubai."
**Number of Hotel Apartments and Occupancy Levels**
The number of medium and luxury hotel apartment establishments reached 188, according to the latest data issued by the Dubai Tourism and Commerce Marketing Department. These establishments comprise 24,209 apartments, while apartments make up 19% of Dubai's total hotel capacity. According to the data, medium hotel apartments achieved overall occupancy rates of about 82%, compared to 73% for luxury hotel apartments.
