Dubai looking to further develop UK Market

A wide-range of issues, including joint venture proposals, were reviewed at the 15th meeting of the Dubai-UK Tourism and Leisure Working Group held recently under the chairmanship of Mr. Khalid A bin Sulayem, Director General of Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM).

Addressing the meeting at the DTCM Headquarters, Mr. bin Sulayem said Dubai-UK relations has remained strong and expanding due to the keenness on both sides.

He said the UK will continue to remain a crucial market for the Dubai tourism. Dubai is connected to three UK airports with up to 93 weekly flights, the bulk being operated by Emirates.

The DTCM, which has a Representation Office in the UK, has been participating in a number of exhibitions in the UK, including the World Travel Market (WTM) whose 2003 edition is scheduled next month.

The department also conducts road shows and seminars on Dubai in the UK every year. The DTCM has conducted a series of road shows in the UK / Ireland early this month. It has been decided to organize ‘Dubai Convoy’ in the UK once again in view of its tremendous success in the past.

Mr. bin Sulayem said the number of UK guests to Dubai hotel establishments registered more than 28 per cent growth in 2002 compared with 2001.

Dubai maintained the same level of growth for the year 2003 as well despite several adverse developments that impacted the tourism industry in different parts of the world.

The number of tour operators featuring Dubai in their packages went up by 21 per cent during the same period.

The meeting discussed several joint ventures and ways to develop leisure facilities in the emirate. The meeting was attended among others by Mr. Mohammed Khamis bin Hareb, DTCM Director Operations and Marketing, members of the committee, and representative of the British Embassy in Dubai.

The Dubai-UK Tourism and Leisure Working Group is one of panels of the Dubai-UK Trade and Economic Committee (DUKTEC).

Formed in 1997, the high-level body is working to boost bilateral trade and economic relations, direct and joint investments. The meetings are held twice a year, alternately in Dubai and London.

The Dubai-UK Tourism and Leisure Working Group is assigned with the task of identifying the potential areas of cooperation between the UK and Dubai in the tourism and leisure industry, review issues of concern to both sides, and recommend suitable policies to the DUKTEC.