Emaar to stop taking bookings at three Dubai hotels as Covid-19 hits demand

Dubai-based Emaar Hospitality will stop taking bookings at three hotels in Dubai starting next week, it was reported on Monday.

Bookings will be suspended at the Address Fountain Views, Vida Creek Harbour and Vida Emirates Hills from March 15 to August 31, Reuters reported, citing a company document.

The booking website for Address Fountain Views, Emaar’s latest property to open in Downtown Dubai, has already blocked those dates. After March 14, the next available date open for booking is September 1.

The website redirects users to other Address properties.

The two Vida properties were also showing as sold out from March 15 until August 31.

Emaar currently operates eight properties under the Address brand and four hotels under its Vida brand.

“Following the recent global impact on the travel industry drawing us into a state of force majeure, Emaar Hospitality Group has taken the decision to temporarily refocus on a selected number of assets,” a spokesperson told Gulf Business.

The rapid spread of the coronavirus is starting to take a toll on sectors such as aviation, tourism and hospitality worldwide.

Also read: Coronavirus update: GCC cases cross 260 as virus spreads

Airlines including Emirates and Etihad have been forced to stop flights to several destinations, while several industry events have been cancelled or postponed.

The global air transport industry could lose up to $113bn in passenger business this year due to the impact of the coronavirus, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has said.

Read: Passenger airline industry could lose up to $113bn due to coronavirus – IATA