UK TRAVEL AGENTS SELECT DUBAI FOR EDUCATI0NAL WORKSHOP VISIT PROJECTED TO BOOST BRITISH ARRIVALS TO DUBAI IN 2002

A group of 45 travel agents from Kuoni UK, one of the leading travel organizations in the world, are currently in Dubai for an educational workshop that is projected to boost further tourism to Dubai from the UK according to the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM).

"The UK is one of Dubai's strongest tourism origin markets and the leading source market from Europe with hotel establishment guests topping the 300,000 mark in 2000," said DTCM Director General, Khalid A. bin Sulayem.

He noted that such educational workshops help in creating Dubai specialists in key markets. The DTCM backed the Kuoni educational workshop in Dubai by providing a speaker who welcomed the delegates and briefed them about Dubai's attractions.

Speaking to the British travel trade, DTCM Manager Missions, Hamad bin Mejren remarked, "We have strong ties with the UK travel industry and have been co-operating with them for several years now."

Mr. Mejren added, "There are currently 91 tour operators from the UK offering packages to the emirate and we are confident that your personal experience of the destination over the next few days will be enough to convince you that Dubai has what it takes to become popular with British tourists."

Kuoni UK is regarded as the leader in the UK long-haul holiday market. In addition to their core tour operation, they run several independent business units for specialist activities.

Mr. Mejren reassured the British travel trade of Dubai's commitment to the development of tourism and said, "We will continue to support you through our marketing activities in the UK and by constantly improving and enhancing the facilities, attractions and services that Dubai offers to visitors from the UK."

The department of tourism led the largest ever Dubai travel trade delegation to participate at the recently concluded World Travel Market in London to convey a positive "business as usual" message to the British travel industry.