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Khaleej Times
07-07-2025
- Business
- 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.
Skift
02-07-2025
- Business
- Skift
Business Travel Forecasts for the Rest of the Year a Mix of Optimism and Shifting Priorities
Business travel predictions for Q3 & 4 vary widely, with the travelers sometimes appearing more optimistic than their companies. Various sectors of the business travel industry have released their predictions for the remainder of the year — and they're all over the place. For some, it appears that geopolitics, tariffs, travel advisories, and border hassles are not enough for companies to keep most travelers home. Others, including the industry's largest member-focused organization, the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), hint at signs of a slowdown. Summer Travel Optimism Corporate travel management platform Navan's new Summer Travel Trend Report reported that summer flight bookings on the platform are up 10% and hotel bookings up 25% compared to last summer. 'We're seeing strong demand for business travel this summer,' said Rich Liu, CEO of travel. 'Executives have businesses to run, they clearly recognize the value of travel, connection, and face-to-face interactions.' Attendees clearly feel the same way. When the Skift Travel Tracker recently asked the travelers themselves how their travel to meetings, conferences, and trade shows in 2025 compares to 2024, 55% said 'Somewhat More' and almost all (96%) said 'Much More.' On the travel management side of the business, findings from the just-released Sixth-Annual SAP Concur Global Business Travel Survey of travelers were also positive. Despite global uncertainties over trade policies, the survey found that the vast majority of respondents, including 93% of travel managers and CFOs expect their organisation's travel budget to increase or stay the same in 2025 compared with the previous year. Nearly all travelers (97%) said they were willing to travel for business over the next 12 months; however, 40% said they would think about declining a business trip because of safety or social concerns about a destination. Kevin Hinton, managing director, group travel, U.S. Travel Association, remains positive. 'Overall uncertainty isn't helpful for meetings and travel, but the underlying fundamentals remain strong. The stock market is fully recovered from earlier this year and setting records.' 'Flattish' Forecast Despite the positive news, one of the first business travel warning bells of 2025 came from Delta President Glen Hauenstein in April during the airline's first-quarter earnings call, when he said business travel trends are 'choppy," and that "corporate volumes [are] expected to be flattish" compared with 2024. That's backed by GBTA's Global Business Travel Outlook and Impact survey of travel managers, procurement, and sourcing professionals, which found that 28% of U.S.-based (28%) buyers expect their company's overall business travel spend to decline as a result of U.S. government actions. 'That's a notable figure — it reflects that companies are considering when and why they travel as a result,' said CEO Suzanne Neufang. When it comes to travel to meetings and events located in the U.S., 20% were either considering canceling, or canceling. Purpose, location, safety and cost are all factors in these decisions, she said. 'Travel for client meetings, major conferences, and high-impact engagements that drive business are still seen as essential, even if some lower-priority trips may be scaled back.'
Telegraph
10-06-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Revealed: The destinations where five-star hotels cost less than £200
The cost of booking a five-star hotel is getting cheaper in Dublin, Orlando and Las Vegas, according to a new report. Crunching year-on-year data across tens of thousands of hotels, the 2025 Hotel Price Index also shows that domestic five-star hotels are, on average, cheaper than international rooms. Let's take a dive into the data, to see where your money will stretch the furthest in 2025. Five-star hotels for under £200 The cost of a five-star hotel in Kuala Lumpur averages £108 per night, Bangkok is £123 per night, Prague £136 per night, Istanbul £137 per night and Doha is £173 per night. Mumbai (£148.57), Sharm El Sheikh (£110.81) and New Delhi (£136.08) are also listed as destinations where luxury hotels are more affordable. The report notes, however, that there is no universal star rating system and that travellers should be aware of a possible disparity in standards across different countries. The star rating used in the report is the one quoted on rather than a legacy institution such as AA Hotel and Hospitality Services. To cross-check this data, The Telegraph has crunched the average starting rate (according to of the hotels ranked 8, 9 or 10 out of 10 according to our experts across the five above-listed destinations. Where your money will stretch further The report flags Orlando (-7 per cent), Las Vegas (-4 per cent) and Dublin (-4 per cent) as cities where the cost of overall hotel prices are coming down. Amsterdam, Brussels and Istanbul are also down 2 per cent year on year. On the flip side, room rates are increasing in Tokyo (+15 per cent), Seville (+13 per cent) and Madrid (+13 per cent). Predictably, some of the most expensive average five-star hotel rates in the report include Paris (£505 per night), New York City (£431.70) and London (£306). The report flags Bangkok (an average room rate of £77 per night) and Krakow (average daily rate of £90 per night) as examples of cities where the holiday pound will stretch further in 2025. However, it is worth noting that these average figures include one-star properties such as basic hostels. The average price of a room considered acceptable to most tourists will be higher than this figure. The cheaper corners of the UK On average, five-star room rates in the UK are cheaper than overseas, according to the report. On average, the price of a five-star stay in the UK is £177 compared to £222 per night outside of the UK. Some of the most affordable corners of the UK include Brighton (rooms average £106 per night), Cardiff (£150), York (£170), Manchester (£171), Bath (£193) and Newcastle (£195). The more expensive five-star hotels are found in Edinburgh (average £261), St Andrews (£253) and Windermere (£251). However, the most expensive destination in the UK for five-star hotels is London, which has recently witnessed the rise of the £1,000-per-night room. In 2024, the new Raffles at the OWO (Old War Office) opened with rooms starting from £1,100. The cost of a typical room in a luxury hotel in the capital has risen 111 per cent since 2009, according to CoStar, compared to the nationwide average rise of 61 per cent. The cost of a star upgrade The report shows that the cost of 'up-starring' a hotel is most effective when moving from a three-star to a four-star hotel. On average, a four-star is 41 per cent higher than a three-star room. However, five-star hotels cost, on average, 63 per cent more than four-star hotels. How to find cheap hotel rates Telegraph Travel listings Telegraph Travel has more than 10,000 hotel reviews written by our expert writers. If you know which destination you would like to visit, you can filter these by price. For example, if you browse our Rome hotels page you can filter by 'low to high' to find the Mama Shelter Roma, rated 9/10, with rooms starting from just £123 per night. Use a comparison site Comparison sites are powerful ways to quickly find hotels in your desired price bracket. While we mostly associate it with flight comparisons, Skyscanner has a decent hotel comparison tool, as does Kayak which allows you to filter by ambience (for example, 'family' or 'eco-friendly'). Then, check direct After finding the best price on a comparison site, it is always worth seeking out the hotel's website to see how this compares to the official room rate. Some hoteliers, particularly of independent outfits, say that it is worth contacting them directly if you find a better deal online – sometimes, they will be willing to match or better it on a one-off basis, and you may find that things like breakfast are included when booking directly. Uncover 'secret' hotels So-called secret hotels have been around for a while now, popularised by sites like In these you will book an unknown hotel based on its rough location and star rating, which will be revealed only after booking. Historically it has been fairly easy to discover the identity of the 'secret' hotel: if you just copy and paste the description into a search engine or an AI tool, it will usually tell you the result. Members-only sites There are members-only websites such as Secret Escapes and TravelZoo that offer discounts on luxury hotels. The snag is that these deals usually sell out or expire quite quickly, and some subscription sites now charge for an annual membership. TravelZoo, for example, costs £30 per year, although you can join a 30-day trial for £1. Book a package Flight prices are exceptionally steep during peak holiday periods, particularly school holidays. It is worth checking to see if your desired hotel can be booked as part of a flight-plus-hotel or all-inclusive package deal with a reputed ATOL-protected provider: Trailfinders, Destination2, Kuoni, Hays Travel and Jet2 Holidays ranked highest in the most recent Which? survey.
Khaleej Times
06-06-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
UAE: How ‘multi-country itineraries' are driving travel to Middle East
Travellers are now increasingly seeking 'multi-country itineraries' where they can experience both the region's rich traditions and its modern developments. This trend is being observed in light of the newly released ATM Travel Trends Report 2025, compiled by Tourism Economics for Arabian Travel Market (ATM). The report forecasts that tourism spending in the Middle East will reach nearly US$350 billion by 2030 — a 50 per cent increase from 2024 levels. Travel expenditure in the region is expected to exceed 2019 levels by 54 per cent this year alone, with an anticipated annual growth rate of over 7 per cent between 2025 and 2030. The report underlined several key trends reshaping the sector: the surge in business and luxury travel, the boom in regional sports tourism, and a marked shift toward premium, experience-based travel. Curated experiences 'Travellers are prioritising unique, curated experiences — be it luxury stays, cultural immersions, or adventure activities — over traditional itineraries, and we're tailoring our packages to meet this growing preference,' said Raheesh Babu, COO of The UAE remains a standout destination, with Dubai and Abu Dhabi leading in luxury, entertainment, and family experiences. Meanwhile, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah are gaining popularity for their nature-driven and wellness getaways. In Saudi Arabia, cities like Riyadh, Jeddah, and AlUla are attracting premium and business travelers through a mix of modern hospitality and heritage tourism, while Oman's Muscat and Salalah and Qatar's Doha are also seeing strong demand thanks to scenic beauty, luxury infrastructure, and cultural offerings. 'Dubai remains a top choice, particularly for its blend of urban luxury, family attractions, and beach resorts,' said Shilpa Mahtani, Co-founder and Managing Director of bnbme holiday homes by Hoteliers. 'Abu Dhabi is gaining traction among culture-focused travelers due to Louvre Abu Dhabi, Qasr Al Watan, and eco-resorts on Saadiyat Island. Saudi Arabia is on the rise and we are seeing that as a huge growing tourism market. Projects like AlUla, NEOM, and the Red Sea Project are attracting adventurous and heritage-driven travelers.' Mahtani noted that Vision 2030 is reshaping interest across the region. 'We now include accommodation in Saudi destinations like Riyadh, which entails our concierge services and travel planning. The UAE's diversification push means more unique offerings in places like Hatta, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah, which we recommend for outdoor and heritage-rich escapes. We are advising clients to explore multi-country itineraries that showcase both traditional and futuristic aspects of the Middle East.' Expanding air connectivity Air connectivity is also set to expand dramatically. The region's four largest carriers — Emirates, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, and Saudia — have collectively ordered nearly 780 aircraft from Boeing and Airbus, underscoring the Middle East's ambition to become a global aviation hub. 'Regional travel trends are strongly shaping offerings. We're actively promoting emerging destinations such as AlUla, Red Sea, Aseer, Riyadh, Doha and Salalah, and curating packages that align with cultural, adventure, and heritage tourism,' added Babu. 'These national strategies are expanding demand beyond traditional hubs, and we're adapting our recommendations to match traveler interest,' he added. As per the report, inbound tourism to the Middle East is projected to grow 13 per cent annually through 2030, while outbound business travel is expected to rise by 9 per cent per year. European countries account for half of all leisure travel to the region, with India and the UK leading as top inbound markets, followed by China, which is expected to see a 130 per cent surge in leisure spending by 2030. Additionally, tourism nights from Asia Pacific and African visitors are expected to more than double. 'Travellers drawn to the Middle East tend to spend more on travel overall, nearly 60 per cent habitually spending on luxury experiences while travelling, compared to under 40 per cent among travellers who favour other destinations,' said Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market. With 85 per cent of the region's tourism growth driven by international visitors, demand for high-end ground transport is also climbing. The chauffeur-driven transport sector anticipates a 25–30 per cent rise in airport transfer bookings, especially during holiday and festive seasons. 'We're witnessing a sharp surge in bookings for in-bound airport transfers and intercity travels,' said Soham Shah, Founder and CEO of SelfDrive Mobility. 'Travellers are increasingly opting for premium, professionally managed transport that offers comfort, reliability, and a hassle-free experience across the Emirates.'
CNA
04-06-2025
- CNA
Land snorkelling? Townsizing? Phenomenon chasing? A user's guide to the latest travel lingo
For your next trip, have you considered townsizing? What about choosing a detour destination? And instead of forest-bathing, maybe it's time to give land snorkelling a try. If the terms sound odd, you might need a travel translator. Agencies, online platforms and sometimes travellers themselves have been flexing their creative language skills by labeling trends in travel — some new, some tried-and-true (like bleisure, a trip that combines business with leisure time). The following guide will help you keep up with the lexicon of travel. DETOUR DESTINATIONS Last year's destination dupes became this year's detours in Expedia's 2025 trend report. Detour destinations are 'less well-known and less crowded than tourist hot spots,' according to the report. They can be destinations on their own or side trips from a bigger target. Examples include pairing Reims with Paris, in France, and Santa Barbara, California, with Los Angeles. This practical two-for-one trip concept bundles an appealing neighbour with the closest major airport destination. TOWNSIZING If there were awards for Wordsmith of the Year, consider Priceline for its addition of townsizing. Your next vacation is townsized if instead of big-city buzz you opt for small-town vibes in easy-going destinations. Popular townsizing destinations at the online agency include Stowe, Vermont; Mackinac Island, Michigan; and Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. LAND SNORKELLING Think of forest bathing — slow, mindful walks in the woods — and remove the forest and you have something like land snorkelling. Coined by the Montana-based artists Clyde Aspevig and Carol Guzman, land snorkelling in the context of a walk (which could even be in a city) is paying attention to where you are, not necessarily where you're going. It encourages a focus on minute details, the way you might hover over a reef when snorkelling to view the comings and goings of tropical fish and the current's effect on sea fans. ' When you snorkel, you don't go with a destination in mind but go with the water and let the visuals take over,' said Guzman. 'You wander and you wonder,' Aspevig added. Aspevig and Guzman have both volunteered with American Prairie, a nonprofit conservation group that is building a preserve in central Montana, where land snorkelling might focus on the movement of prairie grasses. JOMO TRAVEL How to fight FOMO, or fear of missing out? Change your point of view with JOMO — joy of missing out — by embracing a vacation that prioritises relaxing and ditching your phone. The vacation rental company Vrbo proposed this mindset switch, citing 85 per cent of respondents to a company survey who declared an interest in taking a vacation to unplug. and Campspot, two platforms that offer camping bookings, also celebrated JOMO as a digital detox method. LIVE TOURISM In its 2025 trends forecast, the travel news site Skift came up with 'live tourism' to refer to the increase in the number of people booking trips around live events in entertainment, sports and natural phenomena. In 2024, few events were bigger travel motivators than the Taylor Swift Eras Tour, the Paris Olympic Games and the total solar eclipse. Some live tourism patterns are perennial, such as the Coachella music festival and the Super Bowl. The next total solar eclipse is expected to pass over Iceland, Portugal and Spain on Aug 12, 2026. Start planning now. MYSTERY TOUR The magic of mystery tours, according to operators, lies in surrendering to the unknown and avoiding the quandary of choice. The high-end agency Black Tomato has a Get Lost service that offers clients journeys to unspecified destinations and the opportunity to find their way out of the wilderness (under a safe watch from afar, they say). The company has organised mystery trips — which are fully customised, but tend to run five to seven nights — in Mongolia, Morocco, Norway and Guatemala. EF Go Ahead Tours launched its Mystery Tours last year and said it sold out within three hours. Past trips have included Bali and Java in Indonesia. The 2025 slate of unspecified trips are on sale now (from US$2,199 or S$2,830 for an eight-day tour). NOCTOURISM If it's a travel adventure you have at night — from swimming in phosphorescent bays to stargazing — then it's also known as noctourism. While it's hardly new, trend forecasters are finding renewed interest in after-dark activities, sometimes as a strategy to beat the heat. cited noctourism in its 2025 forecast, noting that 54 per cent of travellers surveyed in a recent study planned to increase their nighttime activities to avoid daytime temperatures. 'No matter the outing, the cover of darkness adds a sense of adventure and mystery,' said Stephanie Vermillion, the author of the new book 100 Nights of a Lifetime: The World's Ultimate Adventures After Dark. Noctourism activities she covers include night tours of Alcatraz prison, catching 'moonbows' or lunar rainbows seen through a waterfall's spray at places like Victoria Falls in southern Africa, seeing a lava flow in Indonesia, and browsing night markets in Taiwan. PHENOMENON CHASING Separate natural phenomenon from live tourism and you have phenomenon chasing. Black Tomato cites rising interest in natural events like the northern lights and solar eclipses among travellers willing to go far and wide to see them in person. 'In a world that can feel overly digital and predictable, there's something incredible about witnessing a rare natural event,' said Rob Murray-John, the head of special projects at Black Tomato. 'These moments let us strip away the noise and immerse in something that feels both intimate and vast, like you're a small part of something much bigger.' Elaine Glusac © The New York Times 2025.
