BUILDING SUCCESS

Firm fixtures on Dubai’s hospitality scene, Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort and Anantara World Islands Dubai Resort have their sights set on a bright, sustainable future

Since opening almost a decade ago, the former has become a firm fixture on Dubai’s hospitality scene, while the latter has been attracting an increasing number of residents and visitors, thanks to its one-of-a-kind offering.

Celebrating Achievements

The Anantara brand champions experiences that allow guests to fully disconnect from the humdrum of daily life, with properties that make the most of their surroundings and offer a new sense of adventure and leisure.

At Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort, guests enjoy uninterrupted access to 400 metres of private shoreline along the Arabian Gulf, rooms surrounded by a lagoon, the UAE’s only overwater villas and relaxing spa rituals. Four kilometres off its coast, Anantara World Islands Dubai Resort, located on the emirate’s manmade World Islands archipelago, offers one of Dubai’s most unique hospitality experiences.

Looking back at the past year, Manish Singh, Cluster Director of Sales for Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort, Anantara World Islands Dubai Resort and NH Collection Dubai The Palm, said: “In 2022, we engaged with key source markets from the GCC, while simultaneously exploring new and emerging markets in Israel, Africa, India and the Americas.

“We have been relentless in our pursuit of providing exceptional experiences for our high-spending guests. By focusing on improving and developing the overall quality of stay, we have managed to create unforgettable memories for our clientele. This, in turn, has not only enhanced our brand’s reputation but has also positively impacted our bottom line.

“We have also made great strides in building a wider loyalty base by consistently delivering unparalleled services and experiences to our patrons. We understand the importance of cultivating loyalty and have been dedicated to ensuring that our guests feel valued and appreciated every step of the way. This commitment has resulted in a growing number of returning guests who are eager to spread the word about the Anantara experience.”

Future Focus

Singh believes that the brand’s successes of 2022 have paved the way for a promising future. Speaking about the group’s plans for the year ahead, he said: “As a resort brand that shows no signs of slowing down, we have several exciting openings lined up, such as Anantara Mina Al Arab Ras Al Khaimah Resort, the recently opened Anantara World Islands Dubai Resort and the acquisition and rebranding of Anantara Downtown. We are focused on enhancing our properties by refurbishing rooms, installing a hydroponic farm and implementing numerous sustainability measures both internally and for guests.

“To further elevate the guest experience, we are introducing the innovative bubble dining concept and increasing visibility for staycations at Anantara World Islands Dubai Resort, providing a novelty experience for many in the GCC region who have yet to explore the World Islands.

“Recognising the potential of Anantara World Islands Dubai Resort as an ideal venue for exclusive events, we are actively promoting it as a viable option for buyouts and weddings. The picturesque setting, combined with our unparalleled service, makes it the perfect choice for unforgettable celebrations.

“The property has also successfully partnered with major travel advisors and high consortia, such as Virtuoso, FHR and Serendipians. These collaborations have significantly expanded our reach and allowed us to cater to an even wider client base.”

Sustainability First

While growing its hospitality offering, sustainability has been top of mind for Anantara and the brand has been steadfast in its commitment to reducing its environmental impact.

Singh explained: “Over the past six years, our award-winning Palm Jumeirah resort has prioritised sustainability, integrating it into our daily operations. This has involved investments in innovative energy and water efficiency measures, recycling initiatives and significant reductions in plastic and waste.

“To achieve our ambitious goals, we partnered with Sustainability Kiosk Advisors, who have educated and empowered our team. This collaboration has fostered a passionate, environmentally-conscious workforce that regularly proposes and implements eco-friendly solutions. We hold weekly meetings to measure progress and discuss new initiatives. Our team’s collective efforts have increased our waste diversion from six per cent to

62 per cent, positioning Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort as a sustainability leader in the industry. This achievement has exceeded Minor Hotels’ KPI expectations for organic waste reduction.

“We have also adopted a holistic approach guided by five key principles: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose and Recycle. These principles have enabled us to make a significant positive impact on the environment, such as saving over one million single-use plastic bottles, reusing 9.7 tonnes of cooking oil and repurposing 21.6 tonnes of food waste into grey water for fertilising and landscaping.

“Our efforts have saved an estimated AED120,000 monthly, amounting to AED1.4 million annually. We anticipate our Food Digester and bottling plant providing a return on investment of almost double their value over the next decade.”

The resort’s efforts in this space haven’t gone unnoticed as it won the Dubai Sustainable Tourism Award in 2019. Keen to further build on this foundation, the property also signed the UNESCO Sustainable Travel Pledge to further highlight its commitment to sustainability and responsible growth.

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