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Tour operators, MICE organizers, and other key travel industry
decision-makers in France and Benelux expressed their interest and overwhelming confidence in Dubai during a series of road shows
conducted recently by the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing
(DTCM) in Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam.
Held from November 14 to 18, the Dubai Road Shows were part of the
DTCM’s aggressive marketing and promotional agenda to consolidate its share in key source markets and updating the travel industry professionals
about the latest developments in the emirate, especially the Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions (MICE) facilities.
In each city, the
trade only event attracted travel agents, tour operators, and conference and incentive markers. The initiative was timed with the start of
the holiday season.
The road shows were co-sponsored by Golden Sands Hotel Apartments and
Alpha Tours. This year’s promotional initiative had 10 co-participants – Royal
Mirage Beach Resort, Passage to Arabia, Department of Civil Aviation, Dubai
Golf Holidays + Events, Jumeirah International, Accor Hotels –World Trade
Centre, Travco Travel Dubai, and Le Meridien Mina Siyahi Beach Resort and
Marina.
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DTCM officials and representatives of co-participant organizations said the
interest that road shows generated in these markets was far beyond their
expectations and confirmed the strong interest of the industry in Dubai as a
round the year destination for business and leisure.
Mr. Khalifa Ali Buamaim, DTCM Manager Overseas Promotions, who
represented the department, said: “France and Benelux region are important
source markets for the Dubai tourism industry. The emirate is hopefully going to witness a big surge in the number of visitors from these places in
the future.”
He added: “Dubai has been getting unwavering support from the travel
industry in part of the world since a long time. Dubai is strongly committed to
this market and looking forward to a wonderful period of growth in the future.”
The DTCM is presently running a major global advertising campaign to
enhance the international profile of Dubai. It runs until December 2003.
He said the department has been participating in the TOP RESA exhibition
for the past 14 years to further consolidate the share in the French and
European outbound markets.
There has been a consistent year-on-year increase in the number of visitors
from France and Benelux region. The emirate last year recorded a 34.92 per cent increase in French guests
staying with the hotels and hotel apartments. Dubai played host to 62,767
French guests in 2002, up from 46,521 in the previous year. A total of 33 weekly flights are available between Dubai and two French cities
of Paris and Nice. |
