Cheval Leverages Long-Stay Guests Amid Dubai’s Tourism Slowdown

Dubai’s hotel market is grappling with a sharp decline in international arrivals, prompting operators to seek alternative revenue streams. Cheval, a boutique hotel chain, is focusing on long‑stay guests to offset the downturn, betting that domestic demand will sustain the property’s performance. The strategy reflects a broader industry shift toward attracting longer‑term stays as a hedge against fluctuating visitor numbers. While Cheval’s approach offers a short‑term buffer, analysts from S&P Global maintain that a full market recovery is unlikely until 2027, suggesting that domestic demand alone may not fully reverse the slump. The hotel’s pivot underscores the need for flexible occupancy models in a volatile tourism environment.