Anticipating high occupancy rates, hotels in the UAE are gearing up for a busy long weekend. Families seeking staycations are mostly opting for all-inclusive packages for their short getaways.
“City hotels are likely to see occupancy levels of 85–90%, while beachfront, waterfront, and resort hotels are expected to be nearly fully booked, hitting 98–100%,” stated Anura Mathai, Director of New Initiatives at Flora Hospitality UAE and India.
The UAE has declared a public holiday for both public and private sector employees on Friday, September 5, to celebrate Prophet Muhammad’s birthday, offering a three-day weekend for most workers and students.
Anura Muthai
Other industry experts note a growing interest in the long weekend. “Anticipation is building as the long weekend nears,” said Cameron McNeillie, General Manager, InterContinental Ras Al Khaimah Mina Al Arab Resort & Spa.
“Many guests aim to capitalize on the holiday for a quick seaside escape, with bookings showing strong momentum compared to typical weekends.”
Varying Trends
Anura explains that long weekends usually see high demand for beach, waterfront, and resort hotels, while city hotels are less busy. “This time, however, city hotels are enjoying robust bookings, largely due to increased traffic from Africa and India,” he noted.
He remarked that trends vary by hotel location. “Guests at our city hotels prefer simple room-and-breakfast packages,” he said. “Conversely, at beach and resort locations, there’s a notable demand for all-inclusive packages covering stay, meals, and drinks.”
Cameron concurred. “Our all-inclusive and half-board packages are particularly popular among families who appreciate the convenience,” he said. “Meanwhile, couples and small groups are leaning towards personalized experiences like villa stays with private pools or unique dining options.”
He added that they expect to operate “at very high capacity” during the holiday, driven by both local stay-cationers and international tourists seeking a resort-style retreat.
Celebrating Onam
While many families are heading to hotels, others will celebrate at home. For those from Kerala, the long weekend coincides with Onam, a harvest festival falling on Friday, September 5. Dubai resident Manju Sreekumar is excited to celebrate with her family for the first time in years.
“My sons work on Onam and it’s not usually a holiday,” she said. “This year, since it’s a public holiday, we can celebrate together after more than five years. I’m inviting friends and relatives who are job-hunting in Dubai for lunch at my place.”
A key feature of Onam is the Onasadhya, a vegetarian feast of over 30 dishes served on a banana leaf with rice. Some families prepare these meals at home, while others choose to dine out.
