Paula Tannous, Commercial Director, Caesars Palace Dubai, talks to BW Hotelier about recent booking trends at the hotel, changing consumer preferences, significance of Indian market and future plans

Fronted by a pristine 500 m private beach with spectacular views of the Arabian Gulf and located beside Ain Dubai, Caesars Palace Dubai is an immersive destination with the ambience of a luxe island getaway offering five temperature-controlled swimming pools, world-class dining, Cove Beach Club, award-winning Qua Spa, and kids and teens clubs apart from 11 restaurants and 495 rooms.

Hotel’s positioning in UAE’s luxury hospitality market
Caesars Palace Dubai is an immersive luxury lifestyle resort positioned as a lively island escape where every guest is treated #LikeaCaesar. It’s an unconventional playground for all ages, luxe stays, five-star amenities with innovative dining venues helmed by Michelin-starred chefs, kids’ recreation, pristine private beach and pools, award-winning wellness, events and entertainment. There is ‘something for everyone’. The resort’s location in the heart of Bluewaters makes it ideal for guests to explore major attractions within easy walking access from Ain Dubai, Madame Tussauds, retail shops and a 300-m scenic stroll across the footbridge to popular neighbourhoods, Jumeirah Beach Residence and Dubai Marina. 

Recent booking trends and changing consumer preferences 
It is safe to say that change in travel habits has been prominent over the last couple of years. However, we are pleased to see that as restrictions have eased, both business and leisure travel has increased. The easing of travel restrictions came at a crucial time as we were preparing for upcoming bookings during the Easter holidays of which we are seeing a surge. 

Over the last few months, we have been noticing a trend that travellers are booking closer to the dates they plan to travel and staying for a longer period. Many of our guests are booking holidays with friends and family to celebrate missed milestone celebrations. Another trend is the increase in group incentive travel as we are having many bookings coming through from companies offering employees a getaway with some element of events and meetings. 

We are fortunate that Dubai has been ‘open’ since June 2021 with a planned approach to managing the pandemic whilst still facilitating the economy and tourism. Now, restrictions in many destinations have been lifted which has facilitated an influx of tourists and business travellers from many European destinations such as the UK, Germany, and CIS markets are enjoying Dubai. We have been able to tailor our offerings to meet the new needs of our guests, including international long-stay and local staycation offerings.

Split of guest arrivals by nationality
We have a mix of nationalities who visit the resort, whether this is for a weekend staycation, a three-week holiday or one year residence. The length of stay depends on where they are travelling from and why they are travelling. We are favoured among UAE residents and GCC travellers for shorter staycations and daycation experiences. We see an increase in bookings for two to three weeks by travellers from the UK, Germany, CIS and emerging markets. Another great proportion of our guests is from India, which is in constant growth, and we are excited about that.

Significance of Indian market
As a destination, Indian market is the largest in Dubai and among our top 10 source markets. Our suites, for their luxurious spaces, modern design, and amazing sea views, are a firm favourite for our Indian guests. We have key luxury agents in India who support HNWI bookings and we are working closely with, such as Thomas Cook, SOTC, JTB, BCD on group and incentive opportunities and are key to supporting us and developing the Indian market further. 

F&B offerings
Our vision is to offer an exciting dining destination where guests can enjoy a variety of cuisine choices designed for all palates and all ages. We have recently launched two new dining concepts – Demon Duck by Three Michelin Starred Chef Alvin Leung, offering a creative twist on Chinese and Asian Cuisine. And Venus Ristorante and Beach Club, a new dining concept inspired by the Italian famed Amalfi coast and designed to transport our guest to a little slice of Italy in the heart of Dubai. 

Incredible dining choices are in offer at Caesars Palace Dubai, and we are proud of that! From British-American at celebrity chef, Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen, authentic Omakase style dining at Takahisa, to Latin flavours at Havana Social Club, and more, there is a dining concept to suit every taste and catering to a discerning dining community that enjoys good food, great drinks, warm service and fun vibe.

Special for leisure and business travellers
We literally have something for eveyone that allows all guests, regardless of their type of travel to stay, dine, work or party #LikeACaesar. In regard to stays, we have a series of curated 'staycation' offers for local leisure travellers from the UAE and GCC, plus longer stay and advance purchase offers for international markets. We are looking forward to adapting new offerings for Indian market too. A particular offering, we are proud of is our conference center facilities, offering privacy and exclusivity for large events and conferences, meetings and gala dinners, cocktail receptions and more.

Future plans
Not only are we developing a whole new room category - Beach Club Rooms, a brand new product launching on May 1. It boasts of rooms with spectacular views and benefits for guests including a two-hour daily beverage offering that includes unlimited selected drinks from 5 pm to 7 pm along with a plate of canapes. We are enhancing our speciality suites and terraces to offer more space and comfort. Finally, further exciting announcements are coming soon including a development of a kid’s programme, CSR and wellness projects as well new dining, lifestyle and entertainment that will be launched and announced soon to further elevate the luxury experience at the property and at the Island.