The New West End Company, which represents about 600 hotels and retail outlets forecasts there will be about 140,000 tourists from the Middle East shopping in London’s most exclusive shops over the next three months. They are expected to spend about 11% more than they did during the same period last year.
Five star hotels in London are trying to make their Arab guests feel more at home by hiring Arabic speaking staff, offering more Arab television channels, and they are extending their operating times. Senior Sales Manager at the Grosvenor House in Mayfair said more than 70% of their visitors are from the Gulf. Howard Hartley said “The Middle East represents the third most important market to us and still the largest percentage of the business comes in during the summer months.”
