DUBAI HOTEL ESTABLISHMENTS REPORT HIGH BOOKINGS FOR XMAS & NEW YEAR

The Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) convened a meeting with representatives from a cross section of the tourism community at the department's Head Office in Dubai to discuss the current market situation after the events in September.

The meeting, which was the third such meeting chaired by DTCM Director General, Khalid A. bin Sulayem in recent weeks covered key tourism industry issues in the emirate and reviewed the state of the industry around the world as monitored by the DTCM's international network of overseas offices.

"We are pleased that our worldwide marketing efforts are bearing fruit and bookings for the immediate future are returning to normal," said Mr. bin Sulayem.

The hoteliers and the travel trade were in high spirits and reported improvements and groups being re-booked from March 2002 onwards with no cancellations being received for Christmas and New Year bookings.

New initiatives were also discussed at the meeting including a proposed plan to attract families from the region during the forthcoming AGCC school spring break in January 2002 as well as plans for DSF 2002.

DTCM Director Operations and Marketing, Mohammed Khamis bin Hareb briefed the attendees about the DTCM's stepped up marketing and PR efforts that have succeeded in raising Dubai's profile since the September events