UPDATE 1 — Emaar expects return to pre — war occupancy levels at Dubai hotels in next 12 months

(Updates with background and company chair's comments in paragraphs 4-7) By Federico Maccioni DUBAI, Sept 21 (Reuters) — Dubai real estate developer Emaar's Dubai hotels are currently seeing an occupancy rate of around 60%, its founder and chair told Reuters on Monday, adding that the company expects a return to pre-war levels in the next 12 months. "We were dealing with 83% occupancy. During the war, we crashed down to 20, 25. Now we're back to about 60% occupancy. We're very happy with 60% occupancy. At least our hotels are operating," Mohamed Alabbar said in an interview. The Iran war has led to heavy disruptions to energy shipments, logistics and travel to and via the Gulf. International travel to the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia is expected to fall 14% this year, according to consultancy Tourism Economics, dragged down by a more than 30% fall in Gulf countries, before rebounding in 2027. "The truth is that in Dubai we've been spoiled. You know, we are growing 9, 10% a year for so long," Alabbar said. "So this change is quite drastic." Demand was coming back, supported by more international flights, he added however. While Gulf carriers have gradually ramped up.