Danat Hotels & Resorts to focus on leisure

Danat Hotels & Resorts (DH&R), the hotels management division of National Corporation for Tourism and Hotels (NCTH) of the UAE, will participate in this year’s ITB Berlin to focus on the leisure segment and attract a major share of its key feeder market.

Germany is Danat Hotels & Resorts’ major feeder market followed by the British, Chinese and GCC tourists. However, for the Russian market the challenges in 2015 including the difficult economic conditions in Russia saw a sharp drop in the number of tourist from there. Therefore, the DH&R team is eyeing new markets like Scandinavia, Japan, Brazil, Italy and the US.

Rima Rawass, group marketing manager, says: 'This year, Danat Hotels & Resorts will focus on the leisure segment. We are forecasting high on this segment including the Mice and corporate segments. We will also focus on the DMCs in Dubai that brings German free independent travellers (FITs) and groups to our hotels.'

She adds: 'We are looking forward to better performance from the Russian market due to the block in Turkey and Egypt. Russians are considering other destinations for their upcoming holidays and the UAE is one of the primary countries that they want to visit. The Russians, Germans and British tourists love to spend their holidays and enjoy the beaches and the sun of the UAE. Most of our hotels are located on the beach apart from those located in the desert so we are optimistic to get a good share of this market this year.'

Part of the plan is to have aggressive marketing activities in leading German magazines and brochures and offering special and tactical promotions to the German tour operators. At ITB, the DH&R team will also meet new tour operators and wholesalers and check the DMCs in Dubai for new business opportunities.

The team will meet travel agencies, tour operators, wholesalers and DMCs for the leisure business inbound to Abu Dhabi and discuss the rate they will offer to visit Abu Dhabi.

The team of Danat Hotels & Resorts composed of Danat Al Ain Resort, Danat Jebel Dhanna Resort, Al Raha Beach Hotel, Tilal Liwa Hotel, Danat Residence, Oryx Hotel, Century Hotel Apartments, Dhafra Beach Hotel and Green Mubazzarah Chalets will be exhibiting with TCA Abu Dhabi Stand as corporate stand on Hall 22.b/210.