Jannah Hotels and Resorts, a UAE-based hotel group founded on the spirit of the noble Bedouin hospitality, is picking up the pace in the race to grab a bigger piece of the Middle East’s hospitality sector.
With five hotels spread across Abu Dhabi and Dubai, the hospitality chain is further strengthening its foothold with new property openings this year and plans to begin construction work on a new five-star hotel in Dubai’s premium Creek area.Speaking to TTN, Martin Persson, COO of Jannah Hotels and Resorts, says: 'Jannah Hotels and Resorts targets successful and ambitious global travellers who travel to this region for business. In line with Expo 2020, many people are visiting the UAE for extended periods or on contract basis.'With corporate travels blending with extended visits, more people are looking to stay in a place where premium hotel services are combined with the comforts of a home, and this is the area in which Jannah Hotels and Resorts are strong,' he says.The group will open the new Jannah Place City Center in the heart of Abu Dhabi city as well as new hotels in Al Ain this year. It has also just announced the construction of Jannah Creek Dubai, slated to open in 2018, reveals Persson.Jannah Hotels and Resorts has witnessed good occupancy levels during the peak seasons but with the market struggling to cope with the oil price slump, Persson notes that the hospitality industry as a whole has certainly been affected, as business is slowing down compared to the sametime last year. 'However, with the Expo 2020 coming up and Abu Dhabi’s 2030 vision, we are confident that this is a phase that will pass,' he says.Jannah Hotels and Resorts will promote itself as a destination of choice at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM).'We are excited to join Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority to promote our group and cement our position further as one of the pioneers in offering a halal-friendly environment for our guests,' Persson says.'With air routes becoming more accessible, travellers are becoming more discerning and looking for an experience rather than an expensive hotel room. We aim to provide the best of the UAE’s noble Bedouin hospitality through our legendary Karims, the guests’ very own personal genie, who will assist them with all their needs.'At the ATM, our targets will primarily be the GCC markets, as well as travellers from Europe and the US. We are also placing increasing emphasis on the Chinese market, whose inbound growth has been steadily growing,' he says.The group has reported a steady growth in the number of direct bookings through its website and call centre. Persson adds: 'Word of mouth is one very good way of increasing direct bookings as well as social media.'
By Nikita Philip