Saturday, 28th of February.
The day everything happened and when our little Dubai bubble has been, punctured.
It’s heartbreaking what has happened, and is still going on.
And while I write this from my laptop here – a 17-hour flight away from our home in the UAE, my heart, along with many others – is still there.
It’s been really interesting to see how the hospitality industry has tried its very best to cope with the sudden exodus of tourists.
We see major theme parks and attractions closing – almost immediately, and then some – giving away complimentary tickets on a large scale.
Similarly, F&B apps doing major campaigns to give back to the community for free, and the other apps are shouting out on socials, Hello – we have always been free as well, please don’t forget about us.
Pool and beach day passes have been slashed. Venues that used to charge 300 to 400 AED with part of its entry redeemable in F&B is now offering the same at 100 AED, fully redeemable in F&B. Some have gone so far as to give-away complimentary entry to the early-birds. Smart marketing move I’ll say, as it did create a huge buzz, haha. Kudos. Whatever works, during these times, hey.
Lifestyle memberships have been quick as well – creating discounted offers for staycations, pool and beach days and more. Good on you.
Some hotels have made the decision to close off some of their restaurants, as it just didn’t make any sense to keep it open right now. And of course – for the safety of all.
Lots of ongoing F&B offers have been put on hold.
Complimentary ladies nights is now back.
Some hotels have decided to hold back on marketing campaigns, for understandable reasons. Some, are carrying on.
What’s going to happen to the hospitality industry if this goes on?
If the orange man keeps doing what he likes to do, when there is no implication to his people in his own country but debris are falling off the sky over homes of real people who have built a life in Dubai, the UAE as well as surrounding countries?
What about all the people who work in the hospitality industry in Dubai?
Those down in operations – chefs, the wait staff, the entertainment team? And then there’s everyone else who works behind the scenes, the finance, purchasing, marketing, everyone else?
Can we make it through this, again?
It’s heartbreaking. So heartbreaking.
If you are down in Dubai – and you feel safe to head out, please do.
They’re relying solely on the Dubai community right now to keep running. Of course there’s still some tourists flying in, despite. But it’s not a lot. We’re all they’ve got right now.
And to the big guys making the big decisions. I have no words to share that I can put in this piece.
Just, y’know. Stop fighting. STOP FIGHTING. So we can carry on with our life in Dubai.