Hospitality Industry in Dubai

November 16, 2021 - Reading time: 4 minutes

The hospitality industry in Dubai is a pool of facilities and services. They include various types of hotels and lodging, catering, event planning, parks, tourist attractions, transportation, and other processes that attract and service tourists in Dubai. In general, the United Arab Emirates is the leading country in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) regarding the spending on the tourism industry. Dubai is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country, together with Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.

History

The history of the hospitality industry in the UAE has its start in 1932-1933 in Sharjah. The British Overseas Airways Corporation needed a place where they could organize an overnight rest on the airway to India. It started as a tent camp while the main building was under construction.

 For a long time, this hotel was the only one in the region, until, in 1979, the Metropolitan hotel opened its doors for tourists in Dubai. It was one of the first hotels in the city. During the next 34 years, "the Met" was extremely popular among both local and international guests. In 2013, the facility was closed and replaced by Al Habtoor City.

The modern state

Today, Dubai has become one of the most visited cities in the world occupying seventh place in the 100 most popular cities for tourists. According to the data for 2019, Dubai had 544 functional hotels with 100,744 rooms fully prepared for visitors.

 The service quality in most of the hotels, especially the luxury ones, appears to be the highest possible. As of 2021, 87% of those who lived in hotels were either very satisfied or somewhat satisfied with the services they received.

 The industry already contributes a lot to the Emirati economy in general and Dubai's economy in particular. The process of improving services and building new hotels and amenities never stops, so the impact of the hospitality sector continues to grow.

The largest hotels in Dubai

Here are the biggest hotels in Dubai that accept visitors.

1.   JW Marriott Marquis

The hotel with the most rooms is located in Business Bay, the business district of Dubai. It's a 5-star property with high ratings and positive reviews. JW Marriott Marquis can offer 24-hours room service, taxi and ticket services. Besides, it provides guests with the utmost level of high-quality amenities like fitness centers, a spa, and an outdoor pool.

2.   Atlantis, The Palm

The hotel's building has a remarkable shape that makes it stand out from the crowd. Atlantis is ready to give customers free Wi-Fi, round-the-clock room service, and luggage storage. Also, the hotel has facilities for disabled people so everyone can stay in the accommodations they like.

3.   Two Seasons Hotel & Apartments

This hotel is a 4-star property, but it gives the clients the same number of services that more luxury hotels provide. Also, some rooms have such perks as a bathroom phone and complimentary tea and coffee.

Starting a hotel business in Dubai

If you want to open a new hotel in Dubai, the strategy for it looks like this:

1.   Learn what is required

Dubai has several regulations that you have to follow in order to get the license for the hotel:

• You should have a bank guarantee.
• The minimum size a room has is no less than 30 square meters or 323 square feet.
• Enabling top-notch data security is a must.
• The displayed prices are relevant and up to date.
• You should also have what is called a Certificate of Good Conduct.

2.   Think about supplies

Your hotel should have a decent look to be popular among tourists. Make sure that your design, decor element, and furniture meet the standards. For example, companies like Parasol Dubai can provide you with nice-looking outdoor furniture items for a hotel.

3.   Go through all the legal procedures

The most important step is to correctly fulfill all the legal requirements you have to meet. You should start with approving the manager with the relevant qualifications. Then, go to the Department of Economic Development (DED) for the initial approval. After that, you can contact the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) for obtaining a license.

Summary

Despite the pandemic's influence on global traveling, Dubai continues to be one of the most tourist destinations in the world. The overwhelming majority of those who stayed at Dubai's hotels are satisfied with the service and accommodations. In general, the hospitality industry of Dubai can be considered a golden standard.

Author: Yanina Mishina