Rotana prepares for Ramadan: interview with Timur Ilgaz, Area Vice President – Dubai & Northern Emirates, Rotana Hotels & Resorts

Rotana is working on its strategies to attract more visitors this Ramadan and beyond. Timur Ilgaz, Area Vice President – Dubai & Northern Emirates, Rotana Hotels & Resorts shared in an exclusive interview with TTME.

What is your strategy for attracting visitors during Ramadan and the Eid holiday, particularly from Abu Dhabi and the GCC?

1. Tailored Offerings: We design special packages that include iftar and suhoor experiences, showcasing a mix of traditional and contemporary cuisine, while ensuring the ambiance reflects the spirit of Ramadan. We also offer flexible booking options, ensuring guests can enjoy extended stays with exclusive rates.
2. Emphasizing Cultural and Local Traditions: At Rotana, we prioritize integrating local culture and customs into our experiences. During Ramadan, we focus on promoting the values of generosity, family, and togetherness, which resonate with our guests. This can include activities such as traditional storytelling sessions, local music performances, and showcasing regional crafts.
3. Exclusive Eid Celebrations: Eid is a time of joy and celebration, and we create memorable experiences for families and business travellers alike. From lavish Eid brunches to special events and entertainment, we ensure that our offerings are both exciting and culturally relevant.
4. Community Engagement: We emphasize the importance of giving back, so we partner with charitable organizations to host events that support local communities, ensuring that our guests can participate in meaningful initiatives.
5. Enhanced Customer Experience: Our focus is always on service excellence, so we ensure that staff are well-trained to cater to the specific needs of Ramadan and Eid guests. This includes offering special touches, such as pre-arrival communications and thoughtful amenities that enhance the guest experience.

By delivering a balanced combination of cultural sensitivity, exclusive offers, and high-level service, our strategy aims to create memorable moments for our guests during this special time of year.

Please share the recent performance of the hotel sector in Dubai and the Northern Emirates.

Dubai and the Northern Emirates remain among the most dynamic and high-performing hospitality markets globally. Demand for both leisure and business travel remains robust, supported by a strong events calendar, ongoing government initiatives, and an ever-expanding tourism sector. We have recorded impressive occupancy rates across our properties, with strong RevPAR (Revenue Per Available Room) growth driven by strategic pricing, targeted marketing, and our commitment to exceptional service. The Northern Emirates, in particular, are seeing increasing interest from travellers seeking unique experiences, and we are capitalising on this by positioning our properties as leading destinations in their respective markets. Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) reports its strongest year ever, welcoming a record-high 1.28 million overnight arrivals in 2024, marking 12% growth in tourism revenues and a notable 15% rise in MICE visitors. This success is a testament to the Emirate’s strategic and sustainable growth vision to attract over 3.5 million annual visitors by 2030. Tourism has become a cornerstone of Ras Al Khaimah’s economic development. The emirate’s strategic infrastructure investments, such as the upcoming Rotana Mangrove (258 keys) and a focus on bolstering air connectivity, are designed to attract international visitors. Moreover, the introduction of innovative events like the Ras Al Khaimah Fine Arts Festival and the ongoing commitment to hosting large-scale entertainment events, such as the record-breaking fireworks, further cement its position as a year-round destination.

What are your vision, goals, and plans for the hotel this year? Any new initiatives that will be introduced in the new year?

Our vision is to further strengthen Rotana’s presence in the region by enhancing guest satisfaction, increasing profitability, and driving innovation. Key priorities for this year include:

• Advancing digitalisation – Implementing AI-driven solutions to streamline operations and personalise guest experiences.
• Sustainability initiatives – Expanding our eco-conscious efforts in line with the Dubai Sustainable Tourism vision, building on Arjaan by Rotana’s Gold Award achievement.
• Strategic partnerships – Strengthening collaborations with key industry players to expand our market reach.
• Operational efficiency – Leveraging data analytics to enhance performance and optimise revenue management.
• Elevated dining experiences – Introducing new F&B concepts that align with contemporary traveller preferences.

Additionally, we are rolling out unique events and activations across our properties to foster community engagement and enhance guest interaction.

Talk us through the expansion plans of Rotana Hotels in Dubai and the Northern Emirates.

Rotana continues to expand its footprint in Dubai and the Northern Emirates with a strategic growth plan aligned with increasing demand for high-quality hospitality experiences. We are actively working on:

• New property openings: Strengthening our presence with upcoming developments catering to various market segments, including luxury, mid-scale, and extended-stay accommodation.
• Sustainable hotel concepts: Our new projects integrate the latest in sustainability and digital transformation, setting new benchmarks in the industry.
• Diverse offerings: Introducing properties with unique positioning—whether catering to corporate travellers, leisure guests, or long-stay visitors.

This expansion strategy reinforces Rotana’s leadership in the market while ensuring we continue to meet evolving guest expectations.