SL-owned Dubai-based DMC Timeless Trails becomes exclusive partner for 5-star Marriott Marquis Dubai, Jewel on the Creek

From left: Timeless Trails COO Shamraz Azeez, Marriott Marquis Dubai Associate Director of Sales Binni Negi, Timeless Trails CEO Darshana Cabraal, and Marriott Marquis Dubai General Manager Fredrik Reinisch 

• First international chain 5-star hotel entering the Sri Lankan market for a trade promotion 
• Launches attractive Summer promotional package exclusively for groups and families

By Dilrukshi Fernando  

Timeless Trails Travel and Tourism LLC, a Sri Lankan owned, Dubai-based destination management company (DMC), recently announced its exclusive strategic partnership in Sri Lanka with Marriott Marquis Dubai, Jewel on the Creek, the premier 5-star luxury hotel located on the iconic Dubai Creek water-front. 

The partnership was announced at a launch event held recently at the ITC Ratnadipa, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Colombo. The partnership signifies the first occasion an international chain 5-star hotel from Dubai is coming to Sri Lanka for a trade promotion. 

The event was attended by industry leaders, including senior representatives from the country’s leading outbound travel companies, the national carrier, corporate partners, and media personnel. At the event, several exceptional features of the Marriott Marquis Dubai hotel were spotlighted, including its central location, and suitability for both business and leisure travellers. Attendees were also among the first to preview the attractive Summer promotional packages designed exclusively for the Sri Lankan market – for groups and families. 

Timeless Trails Chief Operations Officer Shamraz Azeez said: “The Sri Lankan market is often underestimated. But we believe that this is the market that can go 5-star, which can go to premium properties. We see the potential in Sri Lanka, and we can see our collaboration, where we can position the country, and our offerings at a higher level to give something new and different.”

 ”We aim to be a service oriented DMC as much as possible. However there is no shortage of DMCs in Dubai. So we set ourselves apart by adding a touch of Sri Lankan hospitality to Dubai,” Azeez said further, elaborating on the services made available by Timeless Trails, including have Sri Lankan chauffeurs, and a service team managing a 24/7 help desk who can converse in Sinhala and Tamil in addition to English to offer value added services to travellers from the island. 

Marriott Marquis Dubai Associate Director of Sales Binni Negi, shared the key features of the property with the audience at the event, explaining how the Jewel of the Creek is a hotel complex, with 2 brands to offer, namely, the Hilton Dubai Creek Complex and Residencies, and the Marriott Marquis Dubai. 

“The complex is very new, about a year old, with 770 rooms, and 220 twin beds, with the availability of interconnecting rooms for family groups. Families are a key market, so are the corporate incentives. Offering large rooms which are 45 square meters and above, a wide range of choices with rooms, suites and apartments, extensive inventory of twin rooms mean that we are well placed to handle these segments, not to mention the unbeatable location,” said Negi, outlining why the Marriott Marquis is the perfect alternative to any city hotel in Dubai.

Aside from leisure, the hotel offers a number of amenities for business travellers, offering a spacious main ballroom, and 10 individual ballrooms which can accommodate smaller groups for multiple meeting room facilities simultaneously on the conference floor. Diverse culinary experiences are available across 7 locations at the premises, including restaurants, bars, a recently opened shisha bar, and 24-hour lounge. The hotel is within proximity to the majority of the city’s tourist attractions as well as the financial and shopping hub of Dubai.

“We are very proud of our partnership with Timeless Trails. It’s an organisation recognised by Abu Dhabi Tourism as one of the most innovative and reliable in the UAE. We hope to build awareness and give the Sri Lankan market a unique experience of Marriott Marquis with Timeless Trails, by leveraging their extensive reach and good standing in the Sri Lankan market,” Negi added.

Speaking exclusively to the Daily FT, Marriott Marquis Dubai General Manager Fredrik Reinisch shared his views on why the property is ideal for the Sri Lankan market. “Marriott Marquis Jewel of the Creek, I would say is the most ideal 5-star property for the Sri Lankan market. The property is brand new, located in the most family-friendly part of Deira, situated close to the Dubai airport, Deira City Centre, and downtown attractions such as Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall, as well as the metro station. The rooms are large and suit families very well. The views from the creek view rooms are stunning. The breakfast buffet is extensive and we can feature Sri Lankan items. It’s not a stand-alone hotel, but an entire complex with a long list of activities and dining options.”

Marriott Marquis Dubai hotel complex is situated on the famous Jewel of the Creek, the landmark mixed-use waterfront development, comprising 17 high-rise buildings including hotels, apartments, and office spaces, located in the Port Saeed area of Deira, Dubai, along the northern shore of Dubai Creek. The hotel offers fifteen room categories, each offering spacious layouts and stunning views of the iconic city skyline and tranquil Dubai Creek. The complex also features 1, 2, and 3-bedroom apartments, ideal for extended business trips or leisure getaways, complete with fully equipped kitchens, modern amenities, and comfortable living spaces.

Speaking on the potential collaboration opportunities for outbound travel partners, Timeless Trails Chief Operations Officer, Shamraz Azeez elaborated on their value proposition. “We try to be the best value in the market. I wouldn’t say we are the cheapest, but we add the best value in terms of experiences to all our clients. Additionally, we are very strong on incentives, especially from the Far East. We handle 200 to 500 pax from Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia very often and quite consistently, with a very capable team. That is yet another area where we can collaborate as well,” Azeez said.