GuestReady, the leading global hospitality & property technology company, is seeing a buoyant booking season with UAE residents and nationals topping stays in short-term rentals during Ramadan and for the upcoming Eid holidays.
According to GuestReady’s Regional Managing Director, Reem Alkhatib, Ramadan is the ideal time to stay in Dubai and bookings by UAE nationals and residents in the premium AirBnB-style short-term rental accommodation that the company manages, reflect that.
“UAE residents know there has never been a better time to stay in Dubai than now,” said Alkhatib. “Dubai, as a destination, keeps going from strength-to-strength and this year, Ramadan has much more to offer in terms of a unique mix of culture, community and tradition, along with a welcoming climate and access to world-class attractions that the city is known for.”
According to GuestReady, bookings by UAE nationals and residents from 15 March to 30 April account for 15% of all GuestReady property bookings, followed closely by UK nationals at 12% of all bookings. Russians and Germans follow closely with nine percent and eight percent respectively, while Saudi nationals account for seven percent of all Dubai bookings during this period.
“During Ramadan and Eid, our most popular Dubai neighbourhoods become a melting pot of cultural activities and people from all over the world. And with residents having shorter work days, it allows them to unwind with family and friends at Ramadan events, iftars and suhoors in a lively environment,” said Alkhatib.
GuestReady, which has seen a 220% YoY sales growth in the UAE in 2022, report that bookings are particularly strong in its top five most popular neighbourhoods.
Among GuestReady’s top five neighbourhoods in 2023 for short-term rental bookings are Downtown Dubai in fifth place, followed by Dubai Marina in fourth. The third most popular neighbourhood is Jumeirah Beach Residences, or ‘JBR’ as it is known. Second is the iconic and globally identifiable Palm Jumeirah. The top spot however, according to GuestReady is Bluewater Island which, since opening in 2018 has seen an influx of visitors from across the globe.
In the spirit of the Holy Month, GuestReady will also be donating a portion of each booking during Ramadan to Bridges of Giving, a charity set up to support those affected by the February earthquake in Syria and Turkey.
“As we see strong year-on-year growth and bookings across the Holy Month and Eid, it is only right for us to look at ways in which we, as GuestReady, can give back to the community,” added AlKhatib. “ With each booking, we will be able to contribute a little more to Bridges of Giving, who are offering hope to victims of the earthquake.”
GuestReady’s UAE annual growth and strong outlook is in line with figures from United Nations World Travel Organisation (UNWTO) which outlined that inbound tourism in the Middle East had the strongest relative increase in 2022 at 83% of pre-pandemic levels. The UNWTO said that that growth is expected to continue to increase to pre-pandemic levels throughout 2023. It also follows Dubai being named the second city in Euromonitor’s Top 100 City Destinations Index 2022, one of only two non-European cities to make the top ten, and the only Middle Eastern city represented.
With presence in over 30 global cities, GuestReady has been adding value to both property owners and short-term renters since 2016 allowing both guests and owners to make the most of every stay.
GuestReady properties are bookable via AirBnB, VBRO, Property Finder or direct from GuestReady at Book.guestready.com and for more information, visit www.guestready.com.
