The UAE is tackling work-life balance and the government recently implemented a 4.5-day work week for Emirate government employees.
They say it’s risky to play with a winning formula – especially when that formula delivers huge revenue to restaurants that have been beaten by Covid and are one of the mainstays of the delivery service. tourism service of a country.
So when the UAE government announced they would be moving weekends from Friday and Saturday to Saturday and Sunday to match the global market at the start of the year, Dubai’s hotels were quick to reassure those People love their joy that their greatest fear has not happened. realized – the brunches aren’t “over”, they’re just moving to Saturday.
The brunch in Dubai is legendary and has always been uncompromising in their sheer extravagance. Traditionally starting around 12.30pm and ending some time after 4:30pm, these all-you-can-eat dining get-togethers reinforce Dubai’s image as a bottle of Champagne bouncing around, soaking up the sun , cracked lobster, party playground.
In fact, lunch is a much-anticipated weekend treat for the city’s hardworking residents – and make no mistake, despite designer labels and bumper supercars, this is a city where people work extremely hard to get exempt from dirhams.
In a recent study by mobile technology company Kisi, Dubai scores best for the most overworked population in the work intensity category, meaning full-time employees typically work 48 hours per week.
The UAE is tackling work-life balance and the government recently implemented a 4.5-day work week for UAE government employees, meaning they now have half a Friday to spend time with. time for worship and family gatherings on Islamic holy days.
However, most of the expats-dominated private sector will still be open all day on Fridays – so restaurants move lunches to Saturdays – a change that foodies of the United States will be pleased with. Dubai seems to have adjusted with a shrug.
In fact, the only serious problem hungry weekenders have is which brunch to choose, with a slew of new options right across the emirate, such as Bleu Blanc at The St. Newly opened Regis Downtown Dubai. Visitors there can indulge in lavish creations like wagyu beef donuts with mayo and endless Champagne for 700 UAE dirhams ($191) per person.
Not to mention the old-fashioned “classic” parties like Bubbalicious at The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi resort, where diners can indulge in tastings across three restaurants and a giant outdoor terrace with 695 dirhams unlimited, including a huge fresh seafood display with lobster, crab, shrimp, mussels, and heaps of shredded fresh oysters.
David Tully, head of communications at Dubai’s Middlesex University, told CNBC: “I don’t think people need the slightest encouragement to get back to lunch after a change of heart over the weekend.
“They can move lunch to Tuesday and people will find a way – Emirati can’t say no to an overpriced and overpriced pub. Covid can’t destroy a long tradition, nothing can break it. broke off walking to brunch in this town.”
The expatriate American added: “I think Aristotle called it Catharsis – in the slogan of the work week, everyone needs a little extra Dionysian over the weekend to blow off some steam.”
Lunch is a much-anticipated weekend treat for the city’s hardworking residents.
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Meanwhile, Stephanie Hughes, the British managing director of a media company in Dubai, who has enjoyed brunch since moving to the UAE in 2014, says the new Saturday brunch is a good thing.
“It would be better because now we go for a late breakfast and have a great day and then enjoy a comfortable traditional barbecue on Sunday to recuperate from the festivities,” she told CNBC.
She added: “Now there also seems to be more brunch options, better quality of food and different timings to choose from.”
Swedish expat Victoria Stevenson, who goes to brunch most weekends with her Scottish husband, says she’s also found places in Dubai upping their game to attract gamblers bet.
“I think entertainment became part of the lunch break; when we come back to Europe to visit, we’ll really miss the scene,” she told CNBC.
While some lunches have continued during the height of the pandemic, most have been significantly reduced and include safety measures such as seating arrangements and hourly table cleaning. , monitor and waitress as opposed to the usual buffet.
More stringent regulations have now been dropped by hotels in Dubai – although it may be a while before table service gives way to the usual buffet and more food stalls set up.
Not that it matters.
Hotels are doing all they can to attract high-spending customers, and their efforts seem to be paying off with bookings skyrocketing in recent weeks, in what appears to be as a spin-off of so-called “revenge tourism” – a recent term referring to Consumers more eager to travel after lockdown restrictions.
“There is definitely higher demand this year,” Elif Yazoglu, general manager of DoubleTree by Hilton in Dubai’s Jumeirah Beach Residence, told CNBC.
“People need to get back to normal, socialize, share meals with family and friends, casual conversation and lots of laughter – brunch is a laid-back weekend option to do that.”
Yazoglu said the hotel’s brunch transition to Saturday went smoothly in terms of guest acceptance.
“As the weekend changes itself for everyone, people who previously took off work on a Friday but now work on that day clearly prefer Saturday lunch.”
She added that after a difficult couple of years for the hospitality industry due to Covid, 2022 is already optimistic – aided by excellent weather, the excitement of the Expo 2020 ring and the trend of tourism returning to normal. .
“We also recognize that there is a great demand for outdoor space – weather favors – and our biggest advantage is the large garden space with stunning views of Ain Dubai [Dubai’s iconic observation wheel] and Bluewaters Island,” she said.
