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The Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) has
bagged the first-ever Galileo Express Travel and Tourism Award in the ‘Best International Tourism Board’ category after beating eight other
nominees including Australia, Austria, Britain, Hong Kong, Mauritius, Switzerland and Malaysia.
The advisory board formulated the criteria for the award in consultation
with the renowned audit firm, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, which used both a subjective and objective methodology that included a polling process.
The awards criteria took into consideration factors like revenue generated,
operational efficiency, reach of service, perceived service levels, and the
ability to retain and increase market share.
The DTCM Director General, Mr. Khalid A bin Sulayem, said: “Dubai’s
growing stature as the perfect and safest year-round destination for business and leisure has been receiving the global travel industry’s
resounding approval. This award is another big honour for Dubai and it is
really a matter of great pride to win in an intense competition. Awards stimulate us to further our efforts to enhance the international profile of
Dubai.”
Mr. Mohammed Khamis bin Hareb, DTCM Director Operations and
Marketing, said: “We consider India as an important market with tremendous growth potential. The first half of 2003 witnessed over 13 per
cent increase in visitors coming to Dubai from India, compared with the corresponding period last year. In 2002, the number of Indian guests in
Dubai hotel establishments increased by 37.19 per cent compared with the year 2001.”
DTCM has been operating in India for the last six years and the office has
been playing an important role in boosting bilateral ties by promoting the
opportunities that Dubai offers to both business and tourism.
The department has been pursuing an aggressive marketing and
promotional agenda to achieve the goal of attracting 15 million tourists by
the year 2010.
On behalf of the DTCM, Mr. Carl Vaz, Country Head
- India, received the
award from the Indian Minister for Tourism and Culture, Mr. Jagmohan, at
a grand ceremony held in New Delhi recently. The Indian Minister of State
for Civil Aviation, Mr. Rajiv Pratap Rudy, was also present. |
