Jumeirah Group Plans to Open Four Properties in 2018

THE WORLD'S most luxurious and iconic property –  Burj Al Arab Jumeirah – is synonymous with the brand in Dubai. So in her first trip to promote Jumeirah as a brand in the Indian market, it was easy for Linda Lewis, Vice President for Global Sales Middle East and Asia Pacific, Jumeirah Group, to share the brand’s current portfolio of luxury hotels and resorts within a number of favoured locations with the trade members in India.

“Indian market is well aware of the Emirates and has witnessed a considerable rise in outbound luxury travel in the recent years. In the first half of 2017, 1.3 million travellers from India visited Dubai, making it the emirate’s top source market. Given that this demographic seek superior travel and stay experiences, Jumeirah is well placed to fulfil the requirements of the Indian luxury traveller, including families, couples, the MICE industry and those seeking destination weddings and honeymoons,” she said. 

Jumeirah Hotels and Resorts conducted a two city roadshow in Mumbai and Delhi to strengthen the brand’s ties with the Indian travel-trade fraternity. The roadshow was part of Jumeirah’s newly enhanced focus on India as a source market for its hotels in the UAE, Europe and the Maldives.

Jumeirah has also signed a direct connectivity partnership with Make My Trip (MMT) India, providing a smooth booking channel for Indian consumers who wish to book Jumeirah hotels around the world. “India is a key source market into the UAE and into a number of our other destinations including the UK and Maldives. We are focusing on expanding and consolidating our ties with the FITs and the luxury travel segment to reach out to a larger audience and gain a higher market share. MMT’s reach and presence in India goes above and beyond Tier 1 states. With this in mind, our visibility on this platform will help to increase brand awareness and gain new consumers,” feels Lewis.

Talking about the expansion plans in 2018, the brand will open a Bali property in Q3; a beachfront property in Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi; another one in China in Q2, and in Muscat by mid next year.

However, Jumeirah has rolled out offers to its guests booking to stay at any of the Jumeirah hotels and resorts in Dubai until 21 December will receive a 15% discount on their stay, complimentary daily breakfast and free passes to Dubai Parks and Resorts. Dubai Parks & Resorts opened last year, and currently has three theme parks: Motiongate, Bollywood Parks, and Legoland.

“We are focusing on elevating our services to accommodate the Indian travellers to make them feel at home. More and more choices for accommodation, dining and entertainment that match the trends of the Indian traveller are being made available, and this package is one such example, providing fantastic options for families and couples looking for a holiday before the end of the year,” adds Lewis who has met wedding planners in Mumbai and Delhi to gain stronger leverage in the wedding segment.