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Gitex has sparked a sharp increase in hotel occupancy in Dubai, with most hotels saying they are 100 per cent full during the five-day exhibition. On average hotels are also charging 30 35 per cent higher room rates during Gitex than at any other time, meaning guests are paying Dh200-Dh300 more per night. "It is considered one of the biggest exhibitions in Dubai. We see 100 per cent occupancy and very good revenue as well," said Iqbal Marjan, front office manager of the Dubai Palm Hotel. During this period, Marjan said, the hotel charges almost Dh250 more than its normal corporate rate, maintaining Dh575-Dh600 per room night on average. Computer nerds, who want to visit Dubai for Gitex, are finding it difficult to book a room. Aysha Ramadan was trying to help her friend from Beirut book a hotel room, but had no luck. "I tried to look at four or five star hotels, one star hotels ... they were all fully booked, and after huge research I found that 75 per cent of the hotels were fully booked and the rest of them had exorbitant prices. "You would find either suites or just hotels on Shaikh Zayed Road that are renting rooms at prices like Dh1,500 to Dh2,500 per night." Ramadan added. Even Sharjah is experiencing some of the spill over from Gitex. Sherif Hanna, Front Office Manager of the Radisson SAS Resort Sharjah hotel, said they normally run at full occupancy during this time. "With Gitex occurring in Dubai we do have a full house until the end of the month."
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