A large gap continues to exist in Dubai's tourism market between five-star hotels and low-budget hotels, leaving leisure and business customers in the emirate with little options save for high-end accommodations.
"The economy sector of the hotel market in the region is largely dominated by individual hotels that may offer variable standards and lack the consistency of service and facilities," said Christophe Landais, managing director for Accor Middle East according to Gulf News.
Landais added that Accor planned to expand the network of economy hotels in the UAE as a strategic move as these hotels for a wider range of visitors to the UAE. In addition, he pointed out, such accommodations were more secure as they were "less susceptible" to adverse political events and economic fluctuations.
French hotel operator Accor's family of brands includes Sofitel, Mercure and Suitehotel, while the plans exist for the launch of the Suitehotel property in Dubai in 2008.
Novotel and Ibis, meanwhile, are offering business and leisure customers an alternative to five-star hotels. There are some 23 new Novotels set to be established throughout the Middle East by 2008, offering a total of 6,681 rooms, while three Novotel hotels are in operation in the Middle East, 14 are under construction.
