UAE hotels roll out Ramadan packages

From Arabic-themed restaurants serving Iftar buffets to exquisitely decorated tents welcoming those who partake in late-night suhour, hotels in the UAE are lining up offers for the month of Ramadan. As the sun begins to set, many consumers across the country rush to restaurants to break their fast, and their wallets, too. As it is a period when families gather to shop and eat, consumption increases during Ramadan. Also, July and August represent some of the lowest hotel occupancy rates compared to other months. Occupancy in four- and five-star Dubai hotels is expected to stand between 60 and 65 per cent in July, and at around 70 per cent in August, said Rashid Abu Bakr, senior consultant at TRI Hospitality Consulting. "During Ramadan, room revenues go down because occupancy drops. So, food and beverages are a way to boost revenues,” Abu Bakr said. A myriad of room packages and meal deals have already been rolled out to usher in Ramadan. Offers At Atlantis, The Palm, you can stay from Dh1,325 per night if you book from Friday. The offer is inclusive of an Iftar for two adults in its oriental restaurant Levantine and Kaleidoscope. Also, at French hotel Sofitel at Jumeirah Beach Residence, an Iftar meal for Dh180 at its A.O.C. French Brasserie is on the plate. It includes hot and cold mezze, meat and seafood, along with traditional sweets and special Ramadan beverages. You can get a similar offering for Dh120 at Sheraton Dubai, Mall of the Emirates. If you want to dine under an oriental style tent, then you can head to Sheraton Dubai's Vantage Terrace for Suhour. At Tilal Liwa Hotel in Abu Dhabi, you can get an Iftar buffet for Dh130. And at Fairmont Bab Al Bahr in Abu Dhabi, guests can stay from Dh999 per night and get two Iftars at CuiScene. For GCC guests, Arabian Courtyard Hotel and Spa in Dubai is offering an Iftar buffet for Dh75 per person. Food and beverage revenues are expected to drop by 20 per cent between July and August, Abu Bakr said. Also, food and beverages are expected to contribute 19 per cent of total hotel revenues between July and August, compared to 22 to 25 per cent during other months, he added. Although food and beverage revenues drop during Ramadan, they still boost total hotel revenues, he said. "Food and beverages boost revenues [in Ramadan], but not to the extent of usual months,” he said. From Gulf News