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Industry insight Ramadan
Top tip “Proper planning, timing, and cooking from the heart is essential — as is tasty food!”
special time of the year and focus on guests’ needs”, explains executive assistant manager of food and beverage Marcus Loevenforst. Such laws mean that F&B revenue will necessarily take a bit of a knock during the Ramadan season, as Riyadh Marriott Hotel director of F&B Raed Handal notes. “Eating, drinking, smoking or any similar activities are not allowed in public places, and in Saudi Arabia all the F&B outlets remain closed during the daytime; so revenue has always been covered by iftars and suhours,” he says. “People in Saudi Arabia believe in spending and in charity during this holy month, and our previous Ramadan figures have been very pleasing — but this year Ramadan coincides with the schools’ summer vacations, so a lot of people will be going home. Consequently, we are forecasting a slower and steadier month compared to previous years.” In Dubai, Four Points’ Kiefer predicts “approximately 20% less
www.hoteliermiddleeast.com/f&b
Emmanuel Pauliat, executive
revenue than normal” during Ramachef, Crowne Plaza Dubai dan, due to the closure of some outlets. “However after last year, when obviously we still felt the effects of the global financial crisis, I expect to see more companies treating their staff with a Ramadan outing this year,” he asserts. Crowne Plaza’s Moussa also points out that “revenue this August will be further affected by region’s the traditionally quiet summer period”, which will coincide with an earlier Ramadan this year. This may mean that Ramadan revenues on the F&B front dip even more than usual, according to Ritz-Carlton’s Loevenforst. But he adds: “By addressing wholesalers and FIT’s well in advance, and addressing the various special requirements, we are still very confident that our Ramadan celebrations will be extremely successful.”
July 2010 Caterer Middle East
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