The pleas of the Riqqa hoteliers were gently but firmly rejected, although the DTCM did agree to guide investors in what type of project they should put up in future. It is well-known that diversification of product types is one of the ways in which the effects of oversupply can be ameliorated. Dubai, which is easily the Gulf's largest single hotel market, is still considered to be limited in its product range. I honestly believe it's missing - the nearest one is in Turkey. There's no resort hotel for individual travellers like that.
Owners are still snobs and obsessed with image.
They neglect the needs of families with children, and that includes the pricing of local resorts. Le Meridien's Sharpe believes that Dubai must court charter business. Franco Russo is now running four charters a day to the Red Sea and would like to come to Dubai, but they can't get a beach property at the price they want. Eckhardt, of Kempinski, agrees. Dubai must go for the mass market.