CEO Interview: Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates welcomes travelers for leisure and business trips

Priding itself on offering guests innovative experiences, Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates owned by Majid Al Futtaim is the perfect destination for leisure and business guests in the bustling city of Dubai. With its ideal location in the heart of the city, both a short distance away from the city center and with a connection to the award-winning Mall of the Emirates, the hotel offers convenience with world-class shopping, dining and entertainment a stone’s throw away. It boasts some of the most unique and stylish room products in the region, with the pinnacle of the 388 rooms and suites being the 20 stunning Aspen Chalets, which marry sand and snow and offer views of the Arabian Gulf on one side and the snowy slopes of Ski Dubai on the other. Aviamost spoke to General Manager of Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates, Slim Zaiane about the hotel’s offerings and activities.

The global tourism industry has experienced a remarkable recovery as hotels are nearing pre-pandemic occupancy rates. Please tell us about the hotel’s performance in Q1 2022?

The tourism industry was one of the most affected during the pandemic, however ever since Dubai has reopened and hosted global events such as EXPO 2020 and ATM 2022, we have seen a significant increase in occupancy rates. With our central location and direct access to Mall of the Emirates, the hotel has managed to host tourists from all around the world and have seen a huge demand in our room occupancy and F&B outlets.  

What guests can expect from Kempinski Mall of the Emirates in the next few months? Are you running the summer campaign?

With the plethora of offerings and dining options, Kempinski Hotel Mall of Emirates aims to always provide unique experiences to each guest that checks in. For the upcoming summer months, guests can expect a host of new and exciting offers including a brand-new afternoon tea at Aspen by Kempinski with Michelin Star Chef Vineet Bhatia, special staycation packages with added value benefits in line with Dubai Summer Surprises, Eid Al Adha staycation offers and lots more in the pipeline.

Please tell us more about the hotel’s F&B offerings. What kind of cuisines are you offering in the hotel?

The hotel has a wide range of restaurants offering different experiences and each cuisine transporting you to its origin. Olea – Levantine restaurant inspired by six nations, Salero – a true authentic Spanish abode, Aspen by Kempinski – European tradition of a grand café – all add up to give you a one-of-a-kind culinary experience.

How has the hotel retained tourists after EXPO 2020?

EXPO 2020 has helped the hotel industry experience a huge jump in occupancy rates and overall F&B footfall. The removal of travel restrictions has brought over an influx of tourists into the region, opening further possibilities of new experiences they can enjoy. Situated in the heart of the city with direct access to the mall, the hotel is perfect for tourists, business travelers and vacation seekers with a number of unique F&B offers, packages and family-friendly activities.

What are your marketing initiatives to attract visitors to your property, in particular from Russia and CIS countries?

The hotel is working closely with travel agencies and partners to attract visitors from Russia and CIS countries, we also have PR collaboration from key media in the region as well as cross-promotional activities with our sister hotels. As a result, we have seen extensive number of enquiries and an increase in visitors from Russia and CIS countries for their travel escapades. Our main markets continue to be GCC countries, specifically Saudi Arabia followed by Europe and India.