BIG changes are on the cards at the Millennium Hotel Abu Dhabi as the property aims to compete with the emirate’s ever increasingly supply of new rooms and properties.
General manager Moine Kandil explained that in the short term there are plans to enlarg the club lounge since the majority of the hotel’s trade currently comes from the business market.
But with an eye to increasing leisure usage he is also looking at upgrading the popular Citrus Café adding a new feature of an outside café for the six to eight months during which people can sit outside.
“At Sevilo’s Restaurant we will be upgrading the terrace with chillout facilities and a sundowners venue and later on, in 2012, we will also be looking at a complete renovation to keep the property fresh and competitive,” said Kandil.
During 2010 the Millennium Hotel operated at approximately 75 per cent occupancy but, according to Kandil, this year is likely to witness a decrease to between 70 and 75 per cent and he expects a drop in average room rate towards the end of the year.
“This is due to the new rooms which have come online and the further rooms that will become available later in the year,” he explained.
“But hopefully with the same level of increased inbound arrivals the average room rate will stabilise. The efforts of the government to bring in international events, conferences and exhibitions are helping in this with bringing in a lot of new travellers, not to mention the added bonus of Etihad adding new routes.
“Also the addition of Saadiyat will bring in extra leisure business with its various attractions. It will have its own market but I think it will help us with ancilliary business.”
Kandil said the hotel currently has several room packages such as weekenders and corporate groups and is using GDS to attract Mice business which is something that is being pushing with different companies.
“Mice is currently 10 to 15 per cent of our total market, being a city centre business hotel, this is one of the segments that we want to build on,” he said.
Leisure makes up around six to eight per cent of the propery’s visitors.
“Again this is something we want to grow,” said Kandil “particularly as Abu Dhabi has implemented a public beach front and to push this we are supplying a shuttle service and extra amenities such as a beach bag and towel for guests who want to take advantage of this.”
And in new developments, Kandil revealed the Millennium Hotel’s owners have purchased the building next to the property and the long-term plan is to extend with a multi-use facility including offices and retail.
“It’s a big step forward for the property and we’re possibly looking at around five to seven years in development. Having this in our central location will add important value to the hotel,” said Kandil.
The Millennium Hotel has also recently been awarded the ISO 9001:2008 certificate in recognition of its Quality Management System with Kandil saying: “ We are deeply privileged and proud to receive the certificate which only brings added responsibilities to me and my staff. Although awards and accolades recognise the true worth of our efforts, yet it will further spur us on to do greater things and scale new heights in quality and also for the welfare of the community.”