Day: December 21, 2022

Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, The Palm, Dubai, strengthens the Taj brand portfolio in the UAE and complements the other two city hotels as an upscale luxury resort

I joined the hospitality industry as a Front Office Executive straight after college at Taj Coromandel in Chennai, India. After spending six successful years in various positions, I moved to St James’ Court, London, a Taj Hotel, in 1999. In London, I continued to advance through front-of-house management roles and was also instrumental in opening three prestigious Taj Hotels in Mumbai, Seychelles, and Mauritius. In 2005, I moved to the United States as Director of Rooms at The Pierre in New York and then as Hotel Manager at the Taj Boston. During this time in the US, I also managed the successful pre-opening of Taj Campton Place in San Francisco.

I was appointed General Manager of Taj Falaknuma Palace in Hyderabad in 2009, supervising the ambitious $50m restoration project. Following that, I became General Manager of Taj Exotica Resort and Spa, Maldives. In 2015, I was promoted to Area Director and General Manager of Taj Exotica Resort and Spa in Goa, which then managed four hotels. My next exciting project in 2016 was to lead the Taj Dubai in Downtown Dubai. Having established the hotel as among the most successful hotels in the city, I was then promoted to Area Director across the Middle East and General Manager of Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, The Palm, Dubai.

How is the new Taj in Palm unique in the hospitality space. What are its various offerings? Elaborate

Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, The Palm, Dubai, strengthens the Taj brand portfolio in the UAE and complements the other two city hotels as an upscale luxury resort. With our three distinctive hotels in the region, we are now able to cover all segments of business and leisure. We also have a loyal following from our Indian guests and NeuPass members.

The resort offers incredible panoramic views of the Dubai skyline and the Palm’s shoreline, it is the only resort that can offer views in two directions, which really gives a full “island oasis” feel. All 258 rooms and 67 suites feature balconies and are designed with the guests’ comfort and enjoyment in mind. Those staying will be fully immersed in “Tajness” including the renowned rituals which complement the stay. The 6 rituals cover the arrival (welcome), morning, afternoon, sunset, sleep and departure with specially curated experiences.

Guests are taken on a sensorial culinary journey across the resort’s seven dining and bar options. With everything from contemporary Indian fine dining at Varq, a unique gastropub experience at the Roaring Rabbit, and the stunning lifestyle destination Raia Restaurant & Lounge offering panoramic views of Palm Jumeirah and Dubai’s skyline. When you step outside, you are greeted with the massive outdoor pool measuring just over 70m, and a private 230-meter exclusive beach with pristine golden sands and uninterrupted views of the glorious sunsets.

The resort features the award-winning spa, JIVA. Inspired by traditional healing methods, the ethos of the carefully curated Jiva treatments is drawn from the rich and ancient Indian wellness heritage. A major attraction for our young guests is the Popsicle Kids club and a Game Room for teenagers and the young at heart. Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, The Palm, Dubai is truly a resort that has something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a romantic or family getaway or wellness destination to truly unwind, there’s an immersive experience for everyone.

How have you established Taj Exotica Palm as a force to be reckoned with by blending the brand’s essence and India’s rich heritage with Middle Eastern elements.

Blending Indian hospitality with Middle Eastern generosity is a winning combination, as both cultures complement one another. As an Indian brand, our rich culture and heritage are always at the heart of what we do. This is elevated by gracefully incorporating Middle Eastern elements and touches into our offerings and services, such as:

• A traditional Indian welcome that includes a diya and a garland is also accompanied by Arabic coffee and dates offering
• A part of Taj’s culture, as the sun sets, we welcome the evening with the ceremonial lighting of traditional lamps that dispense light and hope, and we complement this ceremony with the burning of an Arabic Oud. Burning an oud is considered an essential customary tradition within the Arab world, particularly in the Middle East, as a symbol of warm hospitality
• At Raia Restaurant and Lounge, we offer Middle Eastern cuisine

Our resort caters to all clientele, from families to couples or bleisure, extravaganza getaways to destination weddings, delicious brunches or dinners, relaxing at our award-winning JIVA spa, spending a day in the sun by the pool or on the beach, or simply taking in the gorgeous sunset view from the comfort of your room, there is so much to enjoy at the resort that repeat visits are necessary to truly enjoy it.

Can you share insights into your performance, growth, and milestones of Taj properties in Dubai over the last 2 years and walk us through your future plans?

Both Taj Dubai and Taj JLT have received numerous recognitions from partners and reputable institutions in the last 12 months. In addition to new brunches at Bombay Brasserie’s Saturday Jazz Brunch and Treehouse’s Secret Wonderland Brunch, Taj Dubai introduced new service improvements such as an interactive kitchen dining experience and room automation projects. Taj JLT successfully launched the newest go-to Pan Asian restaurant in the city, NONYA, last February 2022, while TJ’s Playground is the pop-up for the FIFA season.

The highlight of the year 2022 was the opening of the Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, The Palm, Dubai, our first resort in the Middle East, located on the world’s most famous man-made island – The Palm Jumeirah. The resort has experienced record occupancy and is enjoying the more recent boom in tourism thanks to the World Cup 2022 taking place this month.  Another exciting development would be opening our fourth property in Deira Creek. In December 2022, IHCL signed up for a hotel opening in Saudi Arabia, making it our second hotel in the country.

The emirate hosted 10.12 million international visitors from January through September 2022, compared to 3.85 million welcomed during the same period last year

“Dubai’s economy is founded on strong principles of income diversification by developing strategic sectors, promoting future-focused economic activities, implementing prudent fiscal policies, and constantly upgrading regulatory and legal frameworks to encourage investment and support business,” said Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council.

“Our strong partnership with the private sector, both locally and internationally, is a key enabler for sustaining our growth with a clear vision to maintain Dubai’s position at the forefront of various international competitiveness indicators,” he added.

The wholesale and retail trade sector reached a value of Dhs74bn during the first nine months of 2022, growing year-on-year by 1.6 per cent. The activity accounted for 24.1 per cent of Dubai’s nine-month GDP and contributed 9 per cent to the emirate’s GDP growth, according to an economic report by the Dubai Digital Authority’s Dubai Statistics Centre.

The transport and storage sector, meanwhile, reached a value of Dhs35.8bn during the first nine months of the year, growing by 26.3 per cent compared with the same period in 2021. The activity includes transportation of passengers and cargo by rail, road, water or air as well as associated activities such as terminal and parking facilities, cargo handling, storage facilities, etc.

Dubai’s airlines witnessed a 151 per cent increase in the number of passengers during January-September, compared to a year-earlier period.

In terms of growth in the first nine months of 2022, hospitality and F&B outperformed all other economic activities. The accommodation and food services activity reached a value of Dhs15.8bn during the first nine months of 2022, growing 28 per cent compared with the same period in 2021. The sector accounted for a 5.1 per cent share of Dubai’s GDP and a 26 per cent share of GDP growth during the nine months.

“These positive economic indicators validate both the strength of Dubai’s business ecosystem to achieve robust and sustainable growth, and the government’s business-enabling policies, attractive fiscal measures, and investor-centric approach in delivering this,” said Helal Saeed Al Marri, director general of Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).

“We strive to further improve the competitiveness of our economic and tourism pillars and related sectors, such as trade, retail, restaurants, and hotels – all of which have witnessed high growth.”

Dubai hosted 10.12 million international visitors from January to September 2022, growing 163 per cent year-on-year, from  3.85 million visitors welcomed during the same period of last year, according to DET data.

Dubai’s real estate activity grew by 2.5 per cent year-on-year during January-September, accounting for a 9.1 per cent share of the emirate’s GDP and contributing 5 per cent to its overall GDP growth.

The growth results from a 76 per cent year-on-year increase in real estate sales during the first nine months of the year, according to Dubai Land Department data. Meanwhile, financial and insurance activities reached a value of Dhs32.8bn during the first nine months of 2022, growing by 1.2 per cent compared to 2021.