Dubai
Metro integral to TIME strategic expansion
Research for
TIME hotels indicates 234 hotels and apartments are already within two kilometres
of one of 47 Dubai metro
stations; hotel apartments close to Dubai Metro and shopping malls top GCC visitor
wish list
Market research conducted on behalf of
TIME Hotels has revealed that 234 hotels and hotel-apartments are located
within two kilometres of one of Dubai’s 47 metro stations.
The UAE-headquartered hotel group wanted
to calculate the number of hotel properties located close to metro stations and
analyse the impact on GCC visitor booking decisions, whether choosing to stay
for business or leisure.
“The research discovered that out of around
530 hotels and apartments listed with international reservation websites such
as booking.com, at least 234 - or 44% - were situated within two kilometres of
a metro station,” said Mohamed Awadalla, CEO, TIME Hotels.
“Accessibility to the metro network is
giving hotels an opportunity to drive occupancy rates as location remains a top
priority for guests. Western guests are familiar with public transport and also
appreciate its efficiency and sustainability, while for other nationalities it
is a cost-effective alternative to taking taxis. GCC nationals also like the
novelty value, coming from a region where rail travel is still at an embryonic
stage,” added Awadalla.
Official figures released by the Dubai
Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) recorded total passenger traffic of 138
million people on the Dubai Metro in 2013, almost double that of 2011. The
Dubai Metro network currently covers two lines (Red and Green) with a total of 47
operational stations, including direct access to Dubai International Airport.
Plans to extend the existing network ahead of
Dubai’s hosting of Expo 2020 are also under development by the RTA, with a phased
expansion programme including a doubling of the length of the Green Line and
extension of the Red Line at both the Rashidiya end and at Jebel Ali, where it
will be linked to the new Expo 2020 site. Senior officials at the RTA expect to
add an additional 36 kilometres of track with a further 21 new stations taking the total number of
stations across the network to 70 by 2020.
Abu Dhabi has also announced that it
will spend AED11 billion on a 131 kilometre-long metro system, which will
eventually be linked to Dubai, opening up more leisure options between the two
emirates.
“Having long recognised the urban
tourism potential, we are now actively promoting our locations in relation to
their accessibility to Dubai Metro stations, as business and leisure visitors
look for convenient locations within easy reach of major commercial, retail and
entertainment centres,” noted Awadalla.
“The TIME Oak Hotel & Suites in
Tecom, for example, is only a five-minute walk from the Dubai Internet City
Metro Station. The hotel has noticed that more and more potential leisure
guests are asking about the hotel’s proximity to the metro,” he added.
As TIME continues with its programme
of regional expansion both in the UAE and further afield into Qatar and Saudi
Arabia, Awadalla and the development team are also taking into consideration
the emerging transportation networks in other destinations as part of the
strategic planning process.
To encourage guests to experience the
city for longer and make the most of its excellent transportation links, TIME
is running a special summer rate campaign until the end of September, with a
‘stay for three and pay for two’ or ‘stay for five and pay for three’ nights
offer at it six properties.
Photo caption: The TIME Oak Hotel &
Suites in Tecom is only a five-minute walk from the Dubai Internet City Metro
Station. The hotel has noticed that more and more potential leisure guests are
asking about the hotel’s proximity to the metro.
For more information, visit
www.timehotels.com
About TI’ME Hotels Management:
TI’ME
Hotels Management is well capitalised with significant management expertise and
has ambitions to evolve into one of the leading hospitality businesses in the
UAE.
TIME
currently manage the following properties:
- TI’ME Oak Hotel & Suites in Al Barsha, Dubai
- TI’ME Grand Plaza Hotel in Al Qusais, Dubai
- TI’ME Opal Hotel Apartments, Dubai
- TI’ME Crystal Hotel Apartments, Dubai
- TI’ME Topaz Hotel Apartments, Dubai
- TI’ME Ruby Hotel Apartments, Sharjah
- TI’ME Pearl Residences, Abu Dhabi
No comments:
Post a Comment