LEADING ITALIAN TOUR OPERATORS ON DUBAI FAMILIARIZATION TRIP DTCM IN DRIVE TO ATTRACT MORE MICE BUSINESS FROM ITALY

As part of an ongoing drive to attract more meeting, incentive, conference and exhibition (MICE) business from Europe, the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) hosted the Dubai visit of a group of 13 leading Italian tour operators from 29th October to 2nd November.

"Total outbound travel from Italy in 2000 exceeded 18.5 million departures, the highest volume of outbound traffic from the country in the past ten years," said DTCM Director General, Khalid A. bin Sulayem.

"The Italian market offers tremendous potential for Dubai and Italian guests in Dubai's hotel establishment have grown by more than 23% in 2000."

He noted that the DTCM was positive that the numbers would increase further with 26 Italian tour operators currently promoting Dubai packages.

The tour operators who form part of the familiarization trip include Oltremare, Inventavacanze, Svetavoi, Cocolapalm, Vassallucci, Tuttiviaggi, Othman Travel, Kaleido Travel, Sestante Viaggi, Playa Del Sol, Sestante Salario, Peppatencia and Properzio Viaggi.

"This trip has been co-sponsored by Arabian Adventures and most of these tour operators specialize in conference and incentive business," said DTCM Manager Missions, Hamad bin Mejren, who briefed the visiting delegates.