Located on the iconic Palm Jumeirah in Dubai, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray stands as a hallmark of the city’s luxury hospitality, opening its doors over 12 years ago. The hotel was designed to emulate the grandeur of a 14th-century Ottoman palace, which spanned territories from Turkey to Moscow. This influence is evident in the intricate detailing throughout the property, from handcrafted stonework to gold leaf accents and elaborate motifs reminiscent of the era. As General Manager of Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, Mark Hehir puts it, “The property weaves a story of warmth, generosity, and joy, creating an ambiance that resonates deeply with guests, particularly those from regions with a shared heritage of opulent craftsmanship, like India.”
Building on the legacy and its trade engagements with India, the hotel is setting goals for the market for next five years, with a sharp focus on the premium luxury segment. Plans include doubling the suite inventory for luxury-seeking couples and families from India, enhancing room configurations and refining pre-arrival planning to offer tailored experiences. In terms of growth, the Indian market has been steadily rising, especially in weddings, confirmed Hehir.
He shares more in a one-on-one interaction with T3. Read the interview here:
Q: What are the unique selling points (USPs) of Jumeirah Zabeel Saray that resonate particularly with the Indian market? Additionally, how has the growth from the Indian market evolved over time?
A: Our family-friendly offerings stand out. We have a wide range of activities, kids’ clubs, and other family-oriented features, making our property feel both enjoyable and safe for families. This sense of familial comfort is something we have deeply integrated into the hotel experience.
Second, our culinary excellence is a major draw, particularly for Indian guests. We ensure strong vegetarian options across all meals—breakfast, lunch, and dinner—and our Indian restaurant is extremely popular. The property offers a celebrated Indian restaurant, Amala, where guests are treated to authentic Indian flavours prepared by a passionate chef who brings a personal touch to every meal. Employing a high-quality Indian chef has been crucial, and we believe our Indian cuisine is exceptional, even when compared to other prominent properties like Taj on the Palm.
Another USP is our picturesque garden lawn, which serves as an excellent venue for weddings. This, combined with our opulent foyer, creates a cultural connection that appeals to Indian guests, especially for grand celebrations like weddings. The Seville Theatre, another unique feature, hosts world-class performances ranging from ballet to live music and comedic acts, which also gives access to our guests including Indians to top-notch entertainment.
In terms of growth, the Indian market has been steadily rising, especially in weddings, though we maintain a balanced approach and avoid overloading the property with wedding events. Post-COVID, we saw a robust rebound in Indian family and couple travellers. While 2022 was particularly strong, 2023 experienced a slight flattening. However, 2024 has shown a modest increase of about 5% over 2023, which is encouraging, especially given the competitive environment with many new hotels opening in the area.
Q: Given the recent growth in Indian outbound travel, particularly in the luxury segment, how does your hotel attract high-end Indian travellers?
A: Our primary strategy focuses on luxury family holidays, which align perfectly with the Indian market’s preference for family-oriented travel experiences. This includes offering excellent value and celebrating special occasions in style. While this strategy is not exclusive to India, it naturally resonates with the Indian audience due to the strong emphasis on family travel. This approach has been our cornerstone in targeting the luxury segment.
Q: Where do you see the property in the next five years, particularly in terms of growth from the Indian market?
A: Over the next five years, we are targeting growth in the premium luxury segment, especially for Indian travellers. We plan to double our suite inventory, catering to luxury-seeking couples and families. Room configurations will be expanded for comfort, and we’ll introduce enhanced butler services to elevate guest experiences.
Understanding cultural nuances, especially for Indian guests, is a priority, therefore pre-arrival planning will also be a major focus. Luxury is often defined by the finer details, and we aim to perfect those elements.
To further elevate the experience, the hotel will reduce its overall room count from 405 to 375, creating larger, more luxurious spaces that reflect our commitment to offering unparalleled luxury for discerning travellers.”
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