Regional expansion on the cards for Alpha Tours

Regional travel is on the increase in the UAE and further afield, according to Ghassan Aridi, managing director of Alpha Tours, a leading Dubai-based destination management company (DMC).

Aridi, speaking at the Arabian Travel Market (May 4 – 7), announced a strategy for regional growth, to echo the success in Dubai, where the company has registered a 79 per cent increase year-to-date in room nights booked in the city.

He said: “Our achievements in Dubai, where we are the leading independent DMC, have given us the springboard to develop the Alpha Tours brand overseas.

“We have opened an office in Qatar, and have earmarked Kuwait, Lebanon and London as cities where we will be developing an on-the-ground presence.”

While room nights have gone up 79 per cent, 2004 revenues have almost doubled, with Aridi revealing that the company is already 13 per cent up on budget, year to date.

“It’s no secret that business in Dubai is hitting all time highs, with almost 5 million tourists last year. However, we can also see the potential of other markets, not least Qatar, which is enjoying a government-driven tourism initiative, amounting to more than US$2.5 billion.”

The Arabian Travel Market is the latest step in a year-long programme of travel and tourism exhibitions for Alpha Tours, which has seen them exhibit at a total of 30 shows including Vienna, Madrid, World Travel Market, ITB and Fitur, Spain.

“We have consciously chosen the trade shows as an integral part of our growth strategy,” said Aridi. “In the tourism and hospitality sector, market awareness is critical, and shows are the best way to speak directly to our end users, whether they are corporate bookers or individuals.”

The largest portion of the company’s business comes from the GCC and Europe, at 35 per cent each, with CIS registering 25 per cent, and the 5 per cent balance coming from medium- and long-haul destinations such as South Africa and Australia.