Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel, the latest five-star property of Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts in Dubai, will debut at the upcoming ITB Berlin, one of the world’s leading travel trade shows.

ITB Berlin, to be held from March 9 to 13, will see over 11,000 exhibitors spread over 160,000 sq m of floor space and will welcome 111,000 trade visitors and 68,000 consumers.

Mövenpick Hotels said the 396 bedroom Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel has the perfect blend of features to attract even the most discerning European leisure visitors.

“Sun, sand and sea, shopping and devilish food and beverage fun are all part of our ‘destination’ offering, perfect for individuals or small groups looking to celebrate,” said Andrew Hughes, director of sales and Marketing at the Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel.

"We offer complimentary shuttle and access to our five-star private beach club, Oceana, on Palm Jumeriah, just ten minutes away."

"We are next to the Ibn Battuta shopping mall which boasts its own dedicated Metro station bringing the world’s largest retail space, Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates within easy reach. We even have a new night club called ‘Diablo’ for those who wish to dance the night away," he added.

According to figures from Government of Dubai, Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, the UK and Germany are two of the most important inbound Western European markets for Dubai followed by France and Italy.

During the first half of 2010, more than 382,000 British and 153,000 German nationals had stayed in Dubai hotels.

If that figure was replicated during the second half of 2010, visitor numbers from the UK and Germany would exceed the 715,000 and 283,000 recorded in 2009.

Overall Dubai received almost 8.7 million guests in 2010, 800,000 more than 2009 realising $3.6 billion in direct revenue.

Travel links between Dubai and Germany are also growing significantly, with Emirates and Lufthansa operating over one hundred flights per week between them. Emirates, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic combined, return, non-stop flights to Dubai, now total over 125 each weekm, said Hughes.

Opened in October last year the hotel has clearly identified its European markets and the marketing team has prepared a series of short and long stay promotions specifically designed for the European leisure market.

Packages include half board promotions starting at $30 per person sharing and ‘stay 3-pay 2 nights’ starting at $225 per room.

“The European leisure markets, especially the UK and Germany have been our strongest overseas markets to date, representing just under 20 per cent of our total market mix. Although we are primarily a business hotel, we expect to grow our percentage of leisure customers throughout the year,” Hughes added.-TradeArabia News Service