THE UK REPORTS A SLIGHT SLOWDOWN IN ARRIVALS FROM THE MENA REGION, YET, THE LOCAL TOURISM INDUSTRY REMAINS UNDETERRED AND IS WORKING TIRELESSLY TO STRENGTHEN TIES WITH THIS BOUNTIFUL MARKET.

Traveller numbers from the GCC to the UK decreased in 2015, according to VisitBritain’s Inbound Tourism Trends Quarterly Report.

While arrivals from Qatar and Oman remained flat compared to 2014, those from other countries in the region were significantly down; Saudi Arabia for example dropped five percent.

This, however, does not seem to worry local tourism stakeholders as they confirm their commitment to the Arab clientele and reveal an optimistic outlook.

“Total room nights derived from Middle Eastern guests in 2015 was 10,159.

It is expected that this figure will remain strong [this year] and we anticipate achieving 10,249 total room nights,” reported Magdy Rustum, director of sales, Middle East, The Landmark London, further revealing that he expects to attend a large number of trade shows relevant to this market in a bid to promote the property’s Muslim-friendly facilities.

Culturally sensitive services were also highlighted by The Savoy, A Fairmont Managed Hotel, which effectively communicates these to the MENA market through FRHI Hotels & Resorts’ global sales offices in Dubai and Saudi Arabia, as well as through various sales trips across the region.

“Every year we see continued growth coming from the Middle East […],” said Clive Doble, director of sales, The Savoy, A Fairmont Managed Hotel. “We expect to see this growth continue [this year] and beyond, especially from the traveller who is looking for a more exclusive and private luxury hotel experience.”