January 2015: Citymax Hotels returned to its roots in
2014 with a focus on targeting the lucrative Indian travel market, cushioning
the home-grown UAE budget hotel chain from the unexpected downturn in Russian
guest arrivals later in the year.
Partnering with travel agents in India and participating with DTCM on
Indian sales trips and road shows, Citymax Hotels has boosted its Indian guest
arrivals to a staggering 25% of its total guest profile, an increase of 7% in
2014 over the previous years’ arrivals.
Hailing from
cities around India, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Cochin and Ahmedabad as well as the
traditional centres of Delhi, Bangalore and Chennai, Indian guests stay an
average of 4 nights, according to Marketing Manager Rohit Challapalli.
“Our average
stay is 2-3 nights, but our Indian guests stay longer than most, enjoying what
Dubai has to offer with regards to shopping and more recently an interest in
excursions and sightseeing. Previously,
most of our Indian guests were here to visit family and friends, now they do
that as well as ‘playing tourist’ “continues Challapalli.
“Traditionally they prefer hotels in
Bur Dubai due to the close proximity to Meena Bazaar and family and friends living
in Bur Dubai. However more recently we have seen the market shifting towards
Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Barsha. Sharjah
is also a key market for Indian tourists, and Citymax Hotels Sharjah is a
popular destination hotel.”
Although the Indian market is a year-round one, there is
an increase in outbound travel to the UAE around Diwali, New Year, the Dubai
Shopping Festivals and Summer Holidays.
Challipalli anticipates another year of increased arrivals from India, as
well as the new feeder markets currently being developed by Citymax Hotels to
ensure diversity in arriving guest profiles.
Link to high res image: https://www.dropbox.com/s/rjklmb5ifhltc3l/Citymax%20Hotels%20Al%20Barsha%20Exterior.jpg?dl=0
