Hotels are launching packages for domestic tourism, including one or more nights' stay, as well as discounts on restaurants and recreational activities. These packages are primarily focused on families and offer guests flexibility for early check-in and late check-out. According to hospitality officials, hotels have started offering these packages to encourage residents to take short vacations and utilize hospitality facilities. They noted that these packages help stimulate local demand and increase hotel occupancy. They confirmed that demand for the packages is rising significantly, especially among families and young people, mainly on weekends, with expectations of increased demand during the Eid al-Fitr holiday, thanks to Dubai's diverse tourist experiences and developed infrastructure.
In detail, hotels have launched domestic tourism packages that include various offers such as one or more nights' stay, as well as discounts on stays, restaurants, and recreational activities. The offers are primarily targeted at families, providing children's activities, diverse dining options, and use of hotel facilities. These packages also offer guests flexibility for early check-in and late check-out, and access to recreational facilities. According to many active offers on hotel websites, these discounts are typically a direct reduction on room prices ranging from 25% to 30% when booking directly with an Emirati ID. The offers also include cash credits for use in restaurants or wellness centers, as well as special benefits for families, such as complimentary children's stays or free meals for them.
According to Fathi Khodjali, Regional Director of 'Hyatt' hotel group in Dubai and General Manager of 'Grand Hyatt', in an interview with 'Al Ittihad': 'The goal of these packages is to encourage residents to explore tourist experiences and utilize the world-class hospitality facilities that Dubai offers, including beaches, restaurants, pools, family, and cultural activities.' He added: 'These packages play a crucial role in stimulating the local hospitality and tourism sector during periods of low international travel, and they also help to enhance Dubai's position as a comprehensive tourist destination that combines entertainment and family experiences.' Khodjali confirmed that demand for the packages has seen a noticeable increase, especially among families and youth, making these initiatives an essential part of hotels' strategies to boost room occupancy. He continued: 'Hotels are receiving good bookings from the local market, including family events or companies that book for their employees for iftar and suhoor.'
Khodjali also said: 'Domestic tourism is a vital source for the hospitality sector as it helps increase occupancy rates while also providing a tourist experience for those who prefer to vacation within the country.' He added: 'We are seeing an increase in bookings over the weekends when many residents prefer to take a short vacation to enjoy the services offered by hospitality establishments.'
General Manager of 'Copthorne - Dubai' Wael Al-Bahi said: 'Domestic tourism packages are an important part of hotels' strategies to increase occupancy, especially during periods when there is high demand for short holidays.' He added: 'The booking rate shows greater activity on weekends, and we are now receiving new bookings for Eid al-Fitr, expecting occupancy rates to be higher during the holiday period.' He confirmed that hotels are keen to design offers that provide added value to guests, such as discounts on stays, meals included in the booking, as well as the possibility of early check-in or late check-out, depending on availability, in addition to in-hotel entertainment and restaurant offers. Al-Bahi pointed out that Dubai provides an ideal environment for domestic tourism thanks to the diversity of its tourist product and developed hospitality infrastructure, noting that families and groups constitute a significant portion of the demand for domestic tourism packages.
He said: 'Dubai's tourism sector has a high degree of flexibility and can quickly adapt to global changes thanks to strategic planning and strong public-private partnerships.'
Mohamed Awwad Allah, CEO of 'Time Hotels' group, said: 'Domestic tourism packages include discounts on accommodation prices as well as on food and beverage services, as part of an effort to encourage residents to take advantage of the diverse hospitality options.' He added: 'The offers are designed to provide a comprehensive accommodation experience for families and residents at competitive prices,' noting that 'domestic tourism is one of the key drivers of the hospitality sector's activity throughout the year.' Awwad Allah highlighted that Dubai has strong advantages that make it an ideal destination, thanks to the diversity of its tourist product, developed infrastructure, and activities that visitors can enjoy. He said: 'Dubai's tourism sector continues to affirm its resilience and ability to grow, supported by world-class infrastructure and a wide range of tourist products that cater to the needs of different visitors.'
