As the eagerly anticipated UN climate conference COP28 draws near, hotels in Dubai are gearing up to accommodate the influx of delegates and high-level officials from around the world. Set to be held at the Expo 2020 site, COP28 is expected to create a boom in demand for accommodations between November 30 and December 12 this year. Already, several hotels in the emirate have reported a substantial increase in bookings during the conference period, with expectations of near-full occupancy during those dates.
COP28 Boosts Interest and Bookings: With COP28 rapidly approaching, hotels in Dubai are experiencing a surge in interest and bookings for the event. Rove Hotels, including the on-site Rove Expo 2020, have already reached full capacity, and other nearby properties are quickly filling up. Paul Bridger, COO of Rove Hotels, believes that as the summer break concludes, there will be a further escalation in bookings, eventually leading to nearly 100% occupancy across all Rove Hotels during the COP28 dates.
Jannah Hotels & Resorts is also witnessing a noticeable increase in bookings for its Dubai-based properties. Ossama Charrouf, the hotel group’s Corporate Director of Commercial Development, stated that approximately 25-30 percent of their rooms in Dubai hotels are already pre-booked for the COP28 period, with more group bookings anticipated in the near future. He foresees reaching full occupancy during the critical period between November 29 and December 12, with an expected surge in guest arrivals in Abu Dhabi, especially among diplomatic and governmental circles.
Winter Tourism Demand Amplified: Dubai typically experiences a surge in tourism during the winter months, attracting millions of visitors each year. With COP28 coinciding with this busy travel period, hospitality experts predict an even stronger hotel boom in 2023. COP28 is expected to further amplify this demand, attracting leisure travelers, business professionals, and diplomatic and governmental attendees alike.
James Britchford, Vice President of Commercial IMEA at Intercontinental Hotel Group, shares this sentiment, stating that they are witnessing high demand and are expecting strong occupancy rates across their hotels in the UAE, particularly in Dubai, leading up to COP28. Considering the popularity of the winter season among tourists visiting the UAE, they anticipate occupancy levels nearing 90 percent during this time.
Central Hotels & Resorts’ Dubai establishments are also experiencing a remarkable rise in demand, projecting higher occupancies and revenue compared to 2022. With COP28 taking place during this time, they expect an even more significant boost in hotel demand, aiming to capture 25-30 percent of the increased demand from COP28 visitors for their city properties.
Conclusion: As COP28 approaches, hotels in Dubai are preparing to welcome a multitude of delegates and officials from across the globe. With bookings already on the rise and expectations of near-full occupancy during the conference period, the hospitality industry is gearing up for a major boom. The convergence of COP28 with Dubai’s peak winter tourism season promises to create a perfect storm of demand, catapulting the city’s hotels into an unforgettable experience of hosting the world’s climate-focused event.
