Industry leaders warn Middle East may ‘take time’ to fully recover

Industry leaders have cautioned that hotels in the Middle East may “take time to return to being fully operational” despite the eased restrictions on travel to the region. 

The FCDO relaxed its guidance on travel to the Middle East on June 18, no longer advising against all-but-essential travel to the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. 

Speaking at Aspire’s Leaders of Luxury conference on June 22, Natasha Towey, managing director at Carrier, said: “We all know that a lot of hotels during [the crisis] had to let staff go, so understandably it will take time for some hotels to return to being fully operational.

“We’ve got really strong relationships with all of our suppliers out in the UAE so last week we were on the phone to them trying to understand plans and capacity. 

“Some certainly won’t be at full occupancy for the next few months, but we’re well prepared to advise clients and agents.”

However, Towey remained positive about the region’s recovery, adding: “I think it’s a good thing that it’s low season for us. Our clients don’t travel to the UAE during the summer months, so departures won’t start until October, which I’m sure by then everything will be back to normal.” 

Gemma Antrobus, owner of Haslemere Travel, also expressed optimism about the region’s uptick in visitors. 

She added: “I think we’re going to see a very short booking window in summer, but for those that have left it too late, we will see October half term really pick up. The FCDO advice change will be incredible for that part of the world. 

"Looking forward to winter sun destinations, it’s going to really help with the flight routes through the Middle East because we’ve seen with multi-centre itineraries to Asia, Australia, New Zealand that taking out the Middle East hubs has made flights absolutely skyrocket."

Due to the increase in the cost of airline seats throughout the crisis, Antrobus argued that price will be a driver of booking decisions going forward. 

She said: “I think clients are cautious to a price. Things do become attractive again and they will travel when the price is right, but in the meantime, we should be out there making sure we are giving that full service and providing clear communication and reassurance.”