DUBAI CONFIRMED AS VENUE FOR FRENCH CONVENTION

The Syndicat National Des Agencies De Voyages (SNAV Est.), the National Trade Union for Travel Agents in France, have confirmed Dubai as the venue for their annual convention from November 17th to 21st according to a press release issued by the Government of Dubai's Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM).

"SNAV has been the central link for the travel trade in France for 50 years and conveys an integrated and consistent front for the French travel industry," said DTCM Director General, Khalid A. bin Sulayem.

"Their decision to host the convention in Dubai underlines the emirate's growing status as the major centre for meetings and conventions in the region."

Mr. bin Sulayem noted that SNAV's membership includes 1,300 registered travel agents, 3,500 points of sales, 75% of the total revenue in the profession as well as 16 French Regional Syndicated Chambers.

The convention is estimated to generate across-the-board results for future tourism to Dubai from France.

More than 40 travel agents from the eastern regional chamber of SNAV are expected to attend the convention in Dubai.

"We are positive that this convention will give French travel professionals the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the destination and provide us with an excellent opportunity to market our emirate to travel buyers from France," Mr. bin Sulayem stressed.

M. Pauli, President of SNAV Est. in a written statement to the DTCM's France office aid, "We have decided to confirm Dubai as the venue for our convention later this month which asserts our support for this fast growing destination."

He noted that more than 40 representatives from SNAV including travel agents, tour operators, airline representatives, shipping and cruise companies, French national railways, global distribution systems and insurance companies will be participating.