Golf Cart Fleet Solutions for Dubai Hotels
Golf carts, also known as club cars or golf buggies, are small recreational vehicles that many compare to toy cars without doors. Although they are often associated with luxury golf courses, their use extends far beyond this recreational activity. Most often, golf cars can be seen in the hospitality industry, and this is for a good reason. In this article, we will present a brief overview of how Dubai’s hotel business can benefit from building its own fleet of electric golf carts.
How hotels can benefit from using electric golf carts
Most golf carts come with electric engines which is their biggest advantage in the context of the tourism and hotel industry. First of all, this core feature translates into a quiet and eco-friendly operation – no noise, no fumes and bad smells that can ruin the tranquility of a luxury resort.
Secondly, an electric motor means fewer moving parts and, therefore, less maintenance required, which is why golf carts are much cheaper in use compared to any petrol-fueled machines. And finally, these eclectic vehicles are super versatile: they are good at both transporting people and luggage around the hotel area and carrying tools and supplies for housekeeping.
Here are how golf club cars can be helpful in resort operation:
- Shuttle service for guests: transport guests and their luggage between reception and rooms (if the hotel doesn’t have one main building) or to the beach area if it is located far away from the main building.
- Room service: organize fast and efficient food and beverage delivery around large resorts.
- Housekeeping and maintenance: arrange effective operation of these services by quickly delivering cleaning supplies, linens, and repair equipment to the designated room.
- Event management and golf courses: facilitate any event with the help of club cars or use them in their primary function for transporting players around the golf course.
These are just a few examples of incorporating electric golf carts into the hotel business. Apart from being a convenient, eco-friendly, and low-cost mode of transportation, these electric vehicles are also relatively affordable to buy and easy to maintain. Their low energy consumption, reduced operational costs, and long lifespan make them a smart investment for hotels and resorts in the long run.
To put things into perspective, let’s do some math.
A typical five-star hotel in Dubai with its own territory usually spans across the area of around 30,000 or 50,000 square meters. During peak seasons, with an average occupancy rate of 80-90%, such hotels would host around 240 to 270 guests daily. To serve such a vast territory, the hotel will need a fleet of 15-20 golf carts on average.
The average price of a golf cart golf buggy in dubai ranges between $4,000 and $7,000, depending on their seating capacity and modification. To buy 20 units, the business will need to spend between $80,000 and $140,000 in initial investment. Given that the average lifespan of an electric mini golf cart ranges from 10 to 20 years, the yearly cost of ownership remains reasonable and sustainable, making it a long-term investment for hotels and resorts. The estimated break-even period starts at 3 years, which is quite achievable for a big hotel, especially in high season.
Boutique hotels may also benefit from acquiring electric golf cars, mainly for enhancing customer experience but also for staff mobility and space optimization (with their little room for parking).
Some businesses prefer to lease golf carts instead of buying them. This can also be a viable option with much lower upfront costs and flexibility to upgrade the carts when needed. However, leasing comes with some drawbacks: the total cost over several years can exceed the price of purchasing. Besides, leasing requires continuous monthly or yearly payments, adding to operational expenses.
Some maintenance tips for hotels to prolong the life of their golf carts
It is believed that the arid climate of Dubai is ideal for electric vehicles, including golf buggies. Indeed, the dry air reduces the risk of rust and corrosion, which are common issues in more humid environments. At the same time, with hot summers come high humidity and excessive heat that can lead to battery overheating. To reduce the impact of aggressive sunrays, ensure your fleet of carts has a reliable parking space with shaded areas and cooling fans.
Naturally, where there’s a desert, there’s sand. Dubai’s frequent sandstorms and dust buildup can clog essential components like motors, air vents, and charging ports. Sand can also wear down braking systems and steering mechanisms over time, leading to higher repair costs. To avoid this, organize a regular cleanup of the carts, focusing on the undercarriage and battery compartments.
Implement a routine inspection schedule to monitor the condition of belts, brakes, and other essential components. Early detection of wear and tear can prevent more significant issues and extend the cart's lifespan.
High temperatures can increase tire pressure, leading to overinflation. Regularly check and adjust tire pressure to the manufacturer's recommended levels to ensure a smooth ride and prevent excessive wear.
These simple tips will help you lower maintenance costs and significantly prolong the lifespan of your electric golf carts.
Why Sharmax golf carts are the perfect choice for Dubai resorts
In the market of affordable golf carts and luxury club cars, Sharmax offers a perfect transportation solution for hotels, resorts, and recreational complexes in the UAE. Investing in Sharmax electric vehicles will enhance your guests’ experience, boost the reputation of your property, and help expand your client base.
If you need a seamless way to move guests around your hotel or golf club, nothing does the job better than Sharmax passenger golf carts. These safe and comfortable electric vehicles not only elevate service quality but also contribute to lowering overall fleet ownership costs.
For hotel and resort managers, overseeing large properties and vehicle fleets requires efficiency and flexibility throughout the day. Sharmax golf carts are designed with eco-friendliness and safety in mind and can be fully customized to meet your specific operational needs.
The Sharmax 5000 4-seater model will ideally suit small hotels for moving guests around the area or for hotels with a golf field. It is designed as a 2+2 seat, with two seats at the front and two additional seats at the back. The model is very compact in size and therefore maneuverable. It can cover up to 60 km on a single charge which means a full day of operation or even more sometimes, depending on some factors. Its modified version, the Sharmax 5000 4-seater Pro, features four full passenger seats and can develop a speed of up to 40 km/h.
By adding cargo customization options to passenger models like 5000 4-seater Pro, you can create versatile vehicles for transporting luggage between parking areas, hotel rooms, and other facilities. These carts are also ideal for on-site communication, sightseeing tours, and event organization.
Apart from mini electric golf carts, Sharmax offers the 5000 4+2-seater golf cart model. With a much extended seating capacity and added cargo space, it can easily carry several guests to the beach and back or serve as a service vehicle for housekeeping needs.
Notably, Sharmax golf buggies are built for year-round use, even in cold weather, thanks to their maintenance-free 48V 5KW electric batteries. Charging is simple and convenient, as these carts can be powered by a standard 220V household outlet. With an intelligent charging system, they consume minimal electricity and do not require special ventilated charging rooms since they produce no harmful emissions.
On top of that, Sharmax provides spare parts for electric golf carts. In addition to essential components like batteries, tires, and brake systems, Sharmax supplies parts for motors, controllers, chargers, and suspension systems. To further enhance efficiency, Sharmax also offers customization options, allowing hotels and resorts to upgrade their golf carts with accessories such as weatherproof enclosures, extended cargo space, luxury seating, or solar charging panels.
Final thoughts
Hospitality businesses of any scale and size can largely benefit from acquiring electric golf carts, especially if we are talking about large resorts and recreational areas. A simple profitability analysis shows that in the long run, owning an independent fleet is more cost-effective than other transport options. Golf carts are good both for your customers and your staff. They are cheap to maintain and easy to handle, quiet and eco-friendly, and will do no harm to a perfectly manicured grass field on a golf course. They will seamlessly blend into the atmosphere of a luxury resort and can complement personalized service in a boutique hotel.
Sharmax Motors provides special deals for corporate clients on bulk purchases. Please, get in touch with us to get more details.