Accor’s Gulf Hotel Recovery Is A Tale Of Two Markets
Leisure demand is carrying Accor’s resorts while city hotels wait for corporate travel to return.
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Deepthi Nair
6 posts
Dubai’s Luxury Hotels Add Perks to Avoid Rate Cuts
Dubai’s luxury hotels face a choice between protecting rates and filling rooms. Value-adds let them do some of both. The question is how long their 2025 buffers will last.
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U.S.-Iran Conflict Stalls Gulf Hotel Deals as Buyers, Sellers Clash Over Pre-War Valuations and Pricing Adjustments
💰 U.S.-Iran conflict affects Gulf hotel deals as buyers and sellers struggle over valuations. Pre-war pricing no longer applies, says James Wrenn of Knight Frank, and hotel owners aren't pressured to sell. Investors reassess demand and occupancy forecasts, with Ali Siddiqui from Cavendish Maxwell noting a "wait-and-see" approach. Only five deals disclosed, highlighting market uncertainty.
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Ras Al Khaimah Hotels Renovate, Reduce All-Inclusive Packages Ahead of Wynn Al Marjan Island Casino Opening 2027
🏨 Hotels around Wynn Al Marjan Island are updating their offerings ahead of the casino resort's launch in September 2027. Rixos Al Mairid Ras Al Khaimah is upgrading 323 rooms by December, while Pullman Resort Al Marjan Island will reopen as an adults-only property in Q2 2027 after refurbishing 300 rooms. Some hotels in Ras Al Khaimah are reaching a 10-year lifecycle and are undergoing renovations to stay competitive.
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Abu Dhabi Utilizes Formula 1 and Guggenheim Opening to Counter 14.2% Decline in Hotel Guests to 3.2 Million
🏁 Abu Dhabi aims to counter a 14.2% drop in hotel guests to 3.2 million this year, partly due to the U.S.-Iran conflict, by boosting events in Q4 with Formula 1 and the Guggenheim opening. August saw a 5.2% year-on-year decrease to 512,000 guests. Abdulla Yousuf expects a strong rebound in corporate and MICE business in Q3 and Q4 as postponed events proceed, with domestic and regional travel supporting the tourism sector.
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Gulf Hotel Operators Forecast Full Tourism Recovery by Late 2027, Citing Decline in Room Rates as Key Issue
🌍 At the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai, hotel operators expect tourism recovery by late 2027, not 2026, with a 10-15% business decline. Occupancy is rising (70s-80s%), but room rates are down 5-8%. Demand from Europe and the U.S. has dropped, with growth in Gulf and short-haul markets insufficient. Dubai saw 6.97 million visitors in the first eight months of 2026 compared to 12.54 million in 2025, and August occupancy fell to 66% from 78.5%.
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