She stressed that the emirate's multifaceted strategy has enhanced its tourism competitiveness

Nakheel: Dubai has succeeded in gaining the trust of visitors from around the world

  • Palm Jumeirah is home to 27 hotels that make up 13% of Dubai's total five-star hotel rooms. Archival

  • Omar Khouri: "Dubai recorded a strong rate of hotel occupancy and was one of the first destinations to reopen its doors to tourists."

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Nakheel Real Estate Development Company stated that Dubai's multi-pronged strategy, which was characterized by responsiveness and flexibility, and the ability to recover quickly and safely from the Corona pandemic, contributed to enhancing its global competitiveness and increasing its attractiveness.

On the occasion of the launch of Arabian Travel Market 2023 tomorrow, she confirmed to Emirates Today that the emirate has succeeded in gaining the trust of visitors from around the world, thanks to its quick and flexible response to address health concerns during the pandemic, and the successful vaccination program it has implemented.

Company Portfolio

Omar Khouri, Chief Asset Management Officer at Nakheel, said that the company's portfolio includes a wide range of facilities available for sale, noting that although the company's name has been associated with mega construction projects in Dubai, such as Palm Jumeirah and numerous residential projects across the emirate, Nakheel's portfolio of hotel and hospitality projects is just as important.

Khoury added that Palm Jumeirah includes 27 hotels, constituting 13% of the total five-star hotel rooms in Dubai.

He explained that Nakheel's hospitality portfolio includes a variety of hotels and resorts, including five-star luxury properties, family resorts, modern hotels such as The St. Regis Dubai on Palm Jumeirah (located on the first 18 floors of The Palm Tower), as well as Bab Al Shams, Rio Dubai and Centara Mirage Beach Resort Dubai.

Hospitality Projects

Regarding the hospitality projects currently planned by Nakheel, Khoury said, "The Cheval Maison The Palm Hotel next to Nakheel Mall is the company's latest project in the hospitality sector."

He pointed out that Nakheel unveiled last year the master plan for the Dubai Islands, which consists of five islands in a privileged location on the waterfront of the Emirate of Dubai, to offer a variety of residential, recreational and hospitality services, including more than 80 hotels from luxury resorts, leisure resorts, small, family and environmentally friendly hotels.

Hotel Occupancy

Khouri pointed out that Dubai recorded a strong rate of hotel occupancy, as it was one of the first destinations to reopen its doors to tourists after recovering from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, thanks to the wise government's strategy and the strict rules imposed by the country during the pandemic to gain the confidence of tourists and encourage them to visit.

As a result, the average occupancy of the hotel sector in Dubai last year reached 73%, compared to 67% in 2021, noting that this achievement is gaining importance, given that it is one of the highest rates in the world for that year, as well as the emirate's 16% increase in the number of rooms compared to 2019.

Visitor Trust

Khouri said that Dubai has succeeded in gaining the trust of visitors from around the world, thanks to its quick and flexible response to address health concerns during Covid-19, and the successful vaccination program it has implemented.

He added that the emirate's proactive approach has made it one of the first cities in the world to reopen its markets and businesses after the initial lockdown, and has succeeded in attracting visitors who looked to meet their travel experience needs.

He added that Dubai has strengthened its position among travel destinations and its vision for the future of the hospitality sector through several initiatives, such as easing the entry requirements for business and leisure travelers, as well as long-stay initiatives.

Strategy

Khouri pointed out that Dubai's multi-pronged strategy, which was characterized by rapid response, flexibility and the ability to recover quickly and safely from the pandemic, contributed to enhancing its global competitiveness and increasing its attractiveness, adding: "As an open and safe destination for domestic and global travelers, Dubai quickly topped the travel enthusiasts' itinerary from all over the world."

Continuous growth

Omar Khoori, Chief Asset Management Officer at Nakheel, said that the entry of new hotels into the Dubai market is a tangible testament to the strength of the emirate's continued growth, as a leading tourist destination for international hotel and resort brands, providing visitors from all over the world with a variety of options that meet their aspirations, and supporting the emirate's position as a leading lifestyle and tourism destination for leisure, leisure and trade.

• 80 luxury and family resorts included in the Dubai Islands masterplan.