Dubai Hotels Set New Marks In Luxury

By Author: Alessandro Dubaldo
Total Articles: 19
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Dubai's hospitality has grown by an amazing amount in the last two decades. More so since Burj Al Arab became operational in 1999. Dubai hotels witnessed an amazing rush for acquiring star rankings since its inauguration. Burj Al Arab started it all by declaring itself as a seven-star facility, the first of its kind in those days. Many five star and even more highly ranked hotels have been built since then. A few of them anointed themselves as five-star deluxe, a few others as six star facilities. No doubt, most of these belonged to an extremely luxurious segment. But then, a major chunk of Dubai's hospitality segment happens to be like that only.

Two reasons are believed to have been the force behind Dubai's hospitality boom. The first, Dubai's ability to withstand the upheavals of world economy. And the second, an uninterrupted supply of funds by the local promoters for its awe-inspiring developments. The commendable leadership shown by Dubai's ruling hierarchy has been the motivating factor for these virtues. They foresaw Dubai's fast depleting oil reserves and hence switched over their economy to custom-free-trade ...
... and tourism. The result, Dubai can sustain a healthy GDP despite the recent slowdown seen by the world economy. Dubai hotels have continued to reap on very healthy room occupancy in the same period.

It is widely known that most international hotel brands are funded by Dubai's ruling elite, while their western counterparts merely act as management companies. This allows the continuation of a generous investment in Dubai's high end developments. For example, Burj Al Arab, the crowning glory of Dubai hotels, is believed to have cost Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, who funded it, far too more than what it may be able to churn out today. However, Maktoum succeeded in establishing a brand ambassador that will now attracts millions into Dubai for years to come. No need to say, the willingness that investors show in accepting lower returns helps in energizing Dubai's tourism and commerce growth.

This conducive policy towards high end tourism has resulted into hospitality brands vying for higher star rankings in the last few years. Starting with Burj Al Arab's self anointed seven star status, the list has continued to inflate on since 1999. Right now, five star hotels provide more rooms as compared to that by the three and four star facilities combined together.
This should tell about the nature of Dubai's high-end boom. More and more Dubai hotels and self-catering apartments are upcoming these days tagged either as "five-star deluxe" or "six star" facilities. Five-star rooms, fifty percent larger than what it may be the usual norm in London or Paris, are the average deal for most Dubains these days. Add to this the chauffer driven Rolls-Royces and luxurious spas, and you would know where Dubai's hospitality was headed to from here.

Will Dubai be able to keep on offering high-end services, say from a decade now? Difficult to suggest, opine the industry watchers. However, they also accept the realtors could do nothing else but take part in Dubai's ongoing growth. For them, it is the immediate growth that weighs above any future slow down.
Therefore, the world should get ready to see more and more high-end Dubai hotels and other recreational facilities lining up in the city's skyline in the years to come.