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Hotels in and around the Deira area - which comprise the heart of Dubai's central business district - expect to make incremental gains during Dubai The City That Cares.
The area has over 30 hotels, which together number around 5,000 rooms. These hotels are particularly popular with GCC visitors.
According to hotel sources, there will be a slow build up in visitor numbers, and by the last week of Ramadan and during the extended Eid holidays, they will be in a position to reap the full benefits.
GCC visitors are again expected to provide the bulk of the traffic during the next few weeks. This year, local authorities and hotel chains have made concerted moves to ensure a higher inflow from the neighbouring territories.
According to Yannick Poupon, general manager of Taj Palace Dubai: "The occupancy for the Ramadan period - November 6 to December 6 - showed a drop from our surging occupancy trend as it did for the city.
"Looking at executive business travel it is always low for the Ramadan period. In November, the occupancy starts to dip down averaging (in all hotels) between 38 to 45 per cent only. Business comes from the GCC market and Asian countries during the period.
The property had a full house due to Eid in February, while in March it posted the highest occupancy rating among downtown hotels at 93 per cent during the Dubai Shopping Festival.
"It is always the case that there will be a slow build-up in occupancy rates during Ramadan. By Eid, we hope to attain full occupancy from 70 per cent now," said Deepak Chander, general manager of the recently opened Lotus Hotel, part of the Abu Dhabi-based NMC Group.
"We are using this Ramadan as a learning experience. For next year, we have already talked to tour operators to bring in more visitors during the period."
Room rates have softened across the board, and in cases by as much as 30 to 40 per cent, to mark special promotions during Ramadan.
A slew of promotions are on at this time, and some properties are offering rack rates of Dh150 plus half-board, which works out to a free breakfast and lunch.
Against average room rates of Dh250 to Dh260 a night for a three-star facility, these have dropped by between 10 and 20 per cent.
The decline in rates available at certain five-star hotels are steeper still - from Dh400 plus before, rooms are available at around Dh150 to Dh180 a night.
For Ramadan, Taj Palace is offering single/double occupancy at Dh460 net, inclusive of taxes, airport transfer and an Iftar meal for one person.
Also, it is offering special discounts when dining at any of its restaurants.
Access to the spa is another facility under a special Ramadan offer where a guest can purchase a spa gift voucher with 50 per cent discount provided another spa treatment is utilised at the regular price during the Ramadan period.
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