1,100 TRAVEL TRADE PROFESSIONALS VISIT DUBAI STAND AT FRENCH EXHIBITION - DUBAI PARTICIPATION AT TOP RESA AN OUTSTANDING SUCCESS

The Government of Dubai's Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) announced that the emirate's participation at the recently concluded Top Resa exhibition in Deauville (France) was an outstanding success with more than 1,100 travel trade professionals from France and Europe visiting the Dubai stand.

"Our promotions in France have been on target and we are happy with the response from the French and European travel trade community who were present in large numbers on our stand conducting business and networking with the Dubai team throughout the three-day event," said DTCM Director General, Khalid A. bin Sulayem.

He noted that the event attracted around 21,000 French travel professionals including nearly 14,000 travel agents registering an increase of five per cent over last year. "The exhibition which is now in its 23rd edition covers an area of 16,000 square metres and attracts the top tourism exhibitors from around the world," added Mr. bin Sulayem.

The French outbound market is of great significance because they are the third largest spenders in Europe after Germany and the United Kingdom, partly due to the strong French Franc, and partly because the French get five weeks of sanctioned, paid vacation annually.

The DTCM team at the event comprised 13 co-participants that exhibited under the department's umbrella on a 45 sq.m. traditional Bedouin tent style stand.

DTCM Executive Overseas Promotions, Khalifa Buamaim who represented the department at the event remarked, "We were inundated with French and European tourism professionals visiting our stands and all out co-participants were happy with the volume and quality of visitors."

To ensure a high profile for Dubai at the event, the DTCM organised a welcome corner at the main entrance to the exhibition area and three hostesses wearing traditional Arabian dresses served gahwa (Arabic coffeee) and dates to welcome visitors to the Dubai stand.

The DTCM also addressed the French media at a press conference to announce the Dubai participation at Top Resa that was attended by more than 20 leading French journalists.

To generate added interest in the Dubai participation at the exhibition where competition is fierce, the DTCM conducted an on stand quiz with eight winners receiving an all-inclusive holiday to Dubai with tickets sponsored by Air France, and accommodation by The Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Le Meridien Mina Seyahi, Oasis Beach Hotel & Golden Sands Hotel Apartment.

"Our objective was to sustain the level of interest in the Dubai and we took this opportunity to promote the emirate and all its major attractions including the Palm Island as well as events such as Dubai Shopping Festival and Dubai Summer Surprises," concluded Mr. bin Sulayem.

The DTCM's other promotions in the French market in recent months included a three-city roadshow in France covering the important cities of Nice, Marseilles and Lyon.