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Khaleej Times
8 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Boutique hotels could redefine Dubai's tourism experience
Dubai, a global tourism powerhouse known for its futuristic skyline and grand resorts, is entering a new phase in hospitality — one that could be defined not by scale, but by intimacy. As the city continues to expand its hotel inventory, industry experts are calling for a greater emphasis on boutique hotels to complement its luxury infrastructure and meet shifting traveller preferences for more personal, experience-driven stays. While Dubai currently boasts over 154,000 hotel rooms, with an additional 3,000 set to be added by the end of 2025, the majority of development continues to focus on large-scale luxury properties and serviced apartments. However, a growing segment of international travelers — particularly millennials, creatives, remote professionals, and high-net-worth individuals — are now seeking properties that offer character, connection, and authenticity over conventional opulence. Boutique hotels, defined by their smaller scale, distinctive design, and high-touch service, are gaining global traction as travellers look for more than just a place to sleep. They seek spaces that reflect the local culture, create emotional engagement, and offer a curated lifestyle experience. This shift has accelerated in the post-pandemic world, where low-contact environments and personalised services have become essential. Hospitality industry experts argue that boutique hotels may not match the skyline dominance of Dubai's mega-resorts, but their real impact ultimately lies elsewhere — in intimacy, culture, and storytelling. As global travelers seek deeper engagement, Dubai has a chance to lead not just in size, but in soul. Globally, the boutique hotel segment was valued at $25 billion in 2023 and is projected to exceed $40.3 billion by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 7.1 per cent, according to Grand View Research. Leisure travelers accounted for over 70 per cent of boutique hotel guests in 2023, signaling an enduring demand for unique stays over standardised lodging. In Dubai, where the tourism sector accounted for about 12 per cent of the emirate's GDP and continues to attract record-breaking visitor numbers, the potential for boutique hotels is significant. The city welcomed over 17 million international visitors in 2023, and with the government targeting 25 million by 2025, a broader mix of accommodation styles could help sustain its momentum. Saad Audeh, chairman of Campbell Gray Hotels, believes the time is ripe for boutique properties to gain ground in Dubai. 'A boutique hotel may have fewer rooms, but it can still provide all the expected services — from room service and wellness spaces to concierge care and refined dining,' he said. 'The difference lies in the scale and intention behind the experience. The smaller the setting, the more personalised and emotionally resonant the service becomes.' Campbell Gray, an international boutique hotel group, is among the hospitality players advocating for more human-scale developments in the Gulf. The company sees boutique hotels not only as a strategic response to evolving traveler expectations but also as a practical investment model for regional property owners. Existing villas, midscale buildings, or underutilised plots can be repurposed into high-value boutique assets at a lower cost than high-rise luxury towers. Unlike large resorts, boutique hotels can be developed and launched faster, often from existing structures, and allow for greater operational flexibility and creative branding. They are particularly well-suited for emerging districts where space is limited or large-scale development is not feasible. In such areas, boutique hotels tend to achieve higher average daily rates (ADR) due to their uniqueness, personalised appeal, and experiential focus. Simon Venison, director of development and operations at Campbell Gray, added that boutique properties are consistently outperforming traditional hotels in guest satisfaction and revenue generation. 'The industry is steadily shifting towards experience-first, emotionally intelligent travel,' he said. 'Guests no longer just want amenities — they want stories, memories, and authenticity. That's what boutique hospitality delivers.' Dubai has already made strides in integrating boutique hospitality concepts in niche locations such as Hatta and Al Fahidi, but the presence of city-based boutique hotels remains limited. This gap represents a compelling opportunity. With Dubai's diversified tourism strategy, including its Virtual Working Programme to attract global talent and digital nomads, boutique hotels can serve as lifestyle hubs for long-stay guests who value individuality, wellness, and community engagement. According to the Department of Economy and Tourism, around 70 per cent of new hotel supply in Dubai is aimed at the upscale and luxury segments. Adding boutique properties to the mix could diversify the city's offerings without cannibalising demand for established players. Instead, it would help position Dubai as a holistic destination catering to both conventional luxury and modern experiential travel. For the wider GCC, where tourism is fast becoming a key pillar of economic diversification, the boutique model holds similar promise. In Saudi Arabia's Al Ula or Oman's mountainous retreats, smaller-scale luxury properties already attract attention from international travelers seeking immersion and authenticity. With the region expected to attract over $179 billion in international visitor spending and support more than 7.7 million tourism jobs, boutique hotels can play a catalytic role in deepening the region's appeal.
Khaleej Times
10 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Dr Ram Buxani's grand-daughter reflects on his lifetime of legacy
Dr Ram Buxani. You may know him as an entrepreneur, a visionary, a chairman, a founder, or a humanitarian. But to me, he held one more title — the one dearest to my heart: my grandfather. My Nana. Today, July 8, 2025, marks one year since Nana passed away. And it feels only natural to remember him in the way he would have loved most — through words. Writing was one of our shared hobbies. Thus, as I sit down to write this, I imagine him beside me, green pen in hand, editing with a smile. Back when weekends in Dubai were Friday and Saturday, our Friday afternoons brought a unique comfort. My elder sister, Jaahnvi, and I would visit Nana and Nani's house, and we would always find him at his desk, deeply focused, writing something with his signature green pen. He would warmly explain what he was working on —whether it was a speech, a column, or simply his reflections — and we would sit beside him, listening with admiration. His words always carried depth. His ideas always invited thought. Nana was a storyteller, a documentarian of time. From his celebrated autobiography, Taking the High Road, to countless columns and speeches, he chronicled Dubai's journey — not just with facts, but with heart. He gave voice to a city, to a generation. One day, I looked at him and said, 'Nana, I want to be an author just like you!' Without hesitation, he replied, 'Then you must write, Himaku.' That is who he was. A man who uplifted others — always empowering us seven Buxani grandchildren in unique ways. With his encouragement, I published my first children's book, Prized Words, in 2018. The following year, we attended the Emirates Literature Festival together — he with his book, me with mine. We were introduced as the 'grandfather-granddaughter literary duo'. And truly, no award has ever felt more special than that shared smile between us. Since his passing, I have realised something important: you never truly lose a grandparent. Their words, their values, their love — they shape who you become. To honour his legacy, I want to share three guiding principles he taught me — lessons I carry with me every day, captured in the three letters of his name: R - Resilience 'Life does not provide warranties and guarantees. It only provides possibilities and opportunities — don't miss them.' At 18, Nana left India and boarded a boat to Dubai despite not knowing how to swim and fearing the open sea. All he carried were five rupees, determination, and a quiet faith that something greater lay ahead. Dubai back then was far from the skyline we know today. There were no airports, no electricity, no air conditioning — only kerosene lamps to light the evenings and naan from the Iranian shop to share among friends. But Nana never saw what was missing. He only saw what was possible. To me, resilience was never just a word. It was the way Nana walked, spoke, worked, and lived. Always forward. Always with dignity. A – Always use your imagination 'Logic can take you from A to Z. But beyond that, you need imagination.' When Nana was 21, he asked his employer if he could step beyond his usual role and bring in clients himself. His seniors discouraged him, but Nana had a vision. One quiet afternoon, when the office was empty, he picked up the samples, took an abra across the creek, and made his first sale: $125. This moment is reflective of the way Nana approached life: think beyond, trust yourself, and try. When I see ITL Cosmos, I don't just see a company — I see where Nana's imagination turned into reality. M – Make, Don't Mirror 'One golden rule I have always followed is this: don't compete or copy, create.' In the 1970s, as Dubai's economy began to boom, most companies held fast to familiar territory. For ITL, that was textiles. Nana's leadership was never about following what others were doing. However, it was about sensing what came next. While others stayed the course, he helped Cosmos pivot into electronics. It wasn't the easy choice. It wasn't the obvious one. But it was true to him — to his belief in creating, not as he always said: 'If you change with the change, you succeed. If you cause the change, then you lead.' That spells RAM. My Nana's journey in Dubai began at 18, with a boat, five rupees, and a dream under a drizzling sky. I was 18 when he passed away. At my high school graduation, he squeezed my hand, smiled, and said, 'The world is yours, Himaku.' It felt like he stayed just long enough to see me take my first step into adulthood. Now, as I step into adult life, I carry his voice, his values, and his quiet strength with me — always. I love you, Nana.
Zawya
10 hours ago
- Zawya
Munich becomes Air Arabia's newest European destination from Sharjah
Air Arabia has announced the launch of its latest route connecting Sharjah with the German city of Munich. Starting December 15, 2025, the new non-stop service will connect Sharjah International Airport and Munich International Airport with daily non-stop flights, offering travellers convenient and affordable travel options between the UAE and one of Europe's leading economic and cultural hubs. Adel Al Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer of Air Arabia, said, 'The launch of our new non-stop service to Munich marks another important step in expanding our European network from the United Arab Emirates to key global destinations. Munich stands as one of Germany's leading economic and cultural centres, offering strong appeal for both business and leisure travellers. This new route reflects our continued commitment to delivering affordable, value-driven travel options while advancing our long-term growth strategy. We look forward to welcoming our passengers onboard and offering them a seamless and comfortable travel experience' The addition of Munich marks a strategic expansion of Air Arabia's growing European network directly from its hubs in the UAE, which already includes key destinations such as Vienna, Athens, Milan Bergamo, Krakow, Warsaw (Chopin and Modlin), and Prague. This new route not only strengthens the airline's footprint in Europe but also opens up greater opportunities for both leisure and business travellers seeking affordable and convenient connectivity.
