Tour operators have not noticed a drop in prices at Dubai hotels after the bad weather.
The decline in demand for Dubai after abnormal rainfall and the suspension of air travel in April turned out to be short-lived; prices for tours are at the usual level for early May, the Russian Union of Travel Industry (RUTI) reports, citing data from tour operators.
Dubai has sorted out the consequences of the April bad weather, which resulted in the air traffic being virtually stopped for several days. According to reviews from tour operators, flight delays and stranded tourists had little effect on current demand - it is now high again. They call a slight decrease in prices for tours to the UAE traditional and attribute it to the onset of the low summer season for the region.
As Olga Ivanova, head of public relations for the tour operator FUN&SUN, explained, in anticipation of summer, UAE hoteliers traditionally issue special offers.
"They are actively booking, we do not notice any changes in the dynamics of demand: it is the same as in the same period last year. In the Emirates, the high season ends in May, it gets hot outside during the day, but the infrastructure of the emirate allows for comfortable rest even in the summer heat: for example, the water temperature in the pools is reduced in the heat. Tourists who prefer coolness spend time by the water, in air-conditioned rooms - restaurants, entertainment and shopping centers," the expert specified.
She added that in summer prices are significantly lower than in winter, including in high-end hotels.
"All the consequences of the bad weather have been overcome. I am now in Dubai, and I do not feel any consequences of the hurricane. Generally, such hurricanes happen once every 50 years, and literally the next day all the consequences of the rains go away - after all, it is a desert. Now in Dubai there are a lot of tourists from our country and the CIS countries," said Dmitry Arutyunov, CEO of the Art-Tour company.
He added that there was no price reduction due to high demand for the May holidays. "These are peak dates, and for arrivals after May 10-15, there is a planned reduction in prices due to the end of the high season: at this time, many hotels traditionally issue special offers," the expert said.
Coral Travel has not noted any significant changes in this direction either. "In general, the current demand and prices are typical for this time of year," said Marina Makarkova, head of public relations.
In mid-April, a powerful downpour hit the UAE, with Dubai being particularly hard hit. The heavy rainfall flooded major highways and the runway at Dubai Airport. In total, about 2,000 flights were delayed, and thousands of passengers were unable to fly out of the country.
UAE meteorologists estimate that April's rainfall was the heaviest in the past 75 years, with some areas receiving up to 250mm of rain in less than 24 hours.