BUSINESS SEASONALITY

My Personal Experience: Like anywhere in the world, understanding the seasonality of the destination, not only the natural weather from summer to winter, but knowing when the city is low or peak for business may provide group organizers and agents strategic plan when to bring guests and clients.

Dubai and Abu-Dhabi are becoming top contenders for international congress and exhibitions. Many of the world-wide events are also hosted in both cities from sports, entertainment, arts and culture, and many more. Yes, these two cities are busy with various events specially Dubai.

When there are major events happening in the city center, the beach hotels may not have the same impact of occupancy level in comparison with city hotels. Nevertheless, when city center events like those major events at the Dubai International Convention Centre also coincide with holidays of the source markets of UAE like; UK, Germany, and Russia expect that beach hotels are also busy.

Historically, the first two weeks of January are still soft for city hotels. Obviously, many of the corporate people are still on holiday. The city starts to pick-up from the third of January and gets busy until mid of April. This is also the best season in terms of weather – refreshing! It slows down a bit from third week of April until end of May. Though, March to May is typically the incentive months.

First week of June is the start of the low season. July until first week of September is the lowest season in UAE as this is summer. Mid of October until mid of December is again the peak soon and the best weather.

For group organizers and travel agents; weekend (Thursdays to Saturdays) in many of the city hotels offer better rates.

Miguel Payla