Senior IHG executive says downturn has encouraged more people to take holidays.

The recession has been a surprising key driver of regional growth in the hospitality sector, said a key regional executive at Intercontinental Hotel Group (IHG).

“There is growth in the leisure travel sector as opposed to business travel,” said Thomas Rowntree, commercial vice president, Middle East and Africa.

“The recession has brought about assessment of the importance of work/life balance and taught people that investing in yourself is very important, as you never know what might happen.”

Rowntree added that the recession is also a time when it’s important to keep up marketing activities to key audiences because it’s an era when consumers evolve their behaviour and are most open to changing their traditional purchasing patterns.

“There is growth in the lower-end brands. Air Arabia has unlocked a whole new type of travel – it’s called the Easy Jet effect,” said Rowntree.

He added that another imminent growth driver for the regional travel industry will be Saudi Arabia’s population.

“75 per cent of the country’s population is below 24-years-old and the most frequent travellers in the GCC fall into the 21-24-years-old age group. We are expecting to see a big wave of travellers across the region in the medium-term.”

Dubai Creek
Par: 71
Length: 6,857 yards

Dubai Creek is a memorable journey from the first tee to the 18th green, boasting  manicured, undulating fairways fringed with water and date trees.

Multiple tees ensure golfers of all calibres enjoy the course. And while length of the tee helps, the premium is certainly on accuracy – especially with the approach shots – as most of the greens are multi-tiered with subtle borrows.

Dubai Creek’s 18th, in particular, requires intelligent play on every shot. There is water on the left and a long bunker on the right, beyond which is water again. A good drive will still leave you with a long iron into the tiered and sloping green, guarded by more water.

Dubai Creek also features a par-three course, a driving range and practice facilities, all of which are floodlit to allow play late into the night. www.dubaigolf.com

Abu Dhabi Golf Club (The National)
Par: 72
Length: 7,204 yards

Abu Dhabi Golf Club by Sheraton offers a world-class and tough golf course located in Sas Al Nakhl, just outside the city and only 10 minutes from the airport, which makes it an ideal golfing venue for people on short business trips or those in transit.

The luxurious complex boasts two Peter Harradine-designed courses: the 18 hole National Championship Course and the more forgiving 18-hole Garden Course (2×9 holes, of different tees). There are also unrivalled practice facilities, with the Gulf’s longest driving range.

Non-golfers will enjoy the leisure facilities on offer, which include a swimming pool, tennis courts and squash courts, plus a health club with sauna, spa and Jacuzzi. www.adgolfclub.com

Emirates Golf Club (Majilis)
Par: 72,
Length: 7,301 yards

The flagship course at Emirates Golf Club, Majlis is a challenging par 72, 7,301-yard layout. Sculptured around the original tall desert dunes in 1987, The Majlis was the first grass course in the Middle East and hosts the annual Dubai Desert Classic Championship.

At Emirates Majlis lush, rolling fairways lead to large fast greens with the surrounding desert meaning you’ll have plenty of chances to practise your sand play.

Water is a factor on many holes including the testing par-three seventh, with its long carry, and the thrilling par-five 18th, where the approach comes in across a lake to a long, thin green in the shape of a bow tie.

The design of the clubhouse reflects a Bedouin tented village with seven gleaming white concrete and glass structures, complemented by the off-course areas where desert flora and fauna flourish. www.dubaigolf.com