UAE hotels offer free waterpark tickets, chance to win all-expense paid trip during summer

Khaleej Times

a day ago

Hotels in the UAE have ramped up offerings, services and experiences to boost occupancy levels during the ongoing summer holidays for individuals and families, offering free tickets to water parks, aqua aerobics and yoga sessions among others.
As tourist inflow slows down during the summer, hotels in the country increasingly target residents for staycations to boost occupancy levels.
A Sharjah hotel has adjusted its beach opening hours in the morning to allow early risers to experience the serenity of sunrise by the sea. 'We also host daily aqua aerobics and periodic yoga sessions to promote fitness and mindfulness as part of every guest's stay,' Iftikhar Hamdani, area general manager for Northern Emirates at Bahi Ajman Palace Hotel and Coral Beach Resort, Sharjah, said.
He added that to improve the experiences of family guests, the hotel has introduced live cooking stations, along with peacocks and rabbits in the gardens.
Without sharing figures, Hamdani confirmed that these initiatives have helped increase occupancy rates at the hotels this year as compared to last year.
'Our aggressive social media campaign has significantly boosted direct bookings this year, breaking records in both telephonic and online reservations through our website. Additionally, our all-inclusive package has positively impacted occupancy rates from the local market compared to last year, and our enhanced food quality and live cooking stations have greatly impressed our staycation guests,' he added.
Meanwhile, Central Hotels and Resorts added new dining venues, upgraded all rooms, included a fully automated in-room guest experience system, and a dynamic pricing strategy, according to Abdulla Ahmad Ali Al Abdulla Al Ansari, chief operating officer and group general manager.
"All restaurant menus and payment systems will move to QR code access in the coming months. To prepare for the busy season, a lively entertainment programme will launch across all hotels, featuring live DJs,' he added.
Al Ansari is optimistic that the planned initiatives and improvements will help drive stronger business performance in the coming months.
Kempinski Hotels announced a new Double Discovery Dollar Promotion for members, allowing guests to earn twice the Discovery Dollars (D$) on all eligible direct bookings from August 1 to September 30, 2025.
The limited-time promotion is available across the entire Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) Discovery portfolio, which includes more than 850 hotels across 45 brands worldwide, doubling the earning potential for travellers seeking indulgent dining, spa treatments, and other experiences.
'Meaningful hospitality begins with understanding what makes each guest unique. Our loyalty philosophy is simple — recognise individuality, reward curiosity and inspire new journeys,' said Yannick Brandner, director of corporate loyalty, Kempinski Hotels.
Rixos Premium Dubai is offering guests who stay three nights or longer tickets to the world's largest waterpark in Atlantis to enjoy a day full of thrills.
JA Resorts & Hotels has introduced bespoke staycation itineraries with tailored activities and amenities. All guests will receive a personalised boarding pass welcome card at check-in, complete with custom itinerary and any special celebrations, as well as the JA Passport, a fun resort activity map and stamp-collection card.
Visitors can collect a stamp each time they conquer a new activity to unlock rewards that range from instant treats to entry into a draw for an all-expenses-paid family escape to JA Manafaru in the Maldives.