BRITISH ADVENTURE TOURS SPECIALIST TO OFFER DUBAI PACKAGE IN 2003

Leading specialist British tour operator Wildwatch, announced plans to introduce a Dubai package from 2003, following the successful hosting of a familiarization visit by the Government of Dubai's Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM).

"Dubai is already famous in the UK as a paradise for birdwatching enthusiasts and the decision by Wildwatch to feature an extensive wildlife and photographic tour of the emirate will add to Dubai's credentials as a multi-faceted tourist destination appealing to a wider variety of tourists," said DTCM Manager Missions, Hamad bin Mejren.

Expert ornithologists in the past have confirmed that UAE has overtaken both Turkey and Egypt as the number one bird watching destination in the Middle East.

"By securing the support of specialist tour operators such as Wildwatch we are developing a foothold in the adventure tourism market," Mr. Mejren remarked.

The UAE lies near the junction of the world's three big geographical zones - the Indo-Malayan, the Palearctic and the African regions, and birds from these regions can be found here, tens of thousands of miles away on annual migration from their natural habitat.

Over 400 species of birds have been spotted in Dubai during the cooler months from late August to early May. The quality of birdlife in Dubai with its other attractions, such as the fine weather, great shopping and low crime rate have attracted bird watchers to the emirate.

The DTCM began a concerted effort to target this niche market in 1997 by producing a brochure entitled 'Dubai: The Birdwatcher's Paradise'. The move was part of the department's drive to diversify the emirate's visitor base by promoting awareness of its attractions to special interest travel groups.

In terms of other special interest tours, Dubai has been particularly successful in attracting groups specializing in such popular activities as golf and shopping.

"We constantly seek to diversify the emirate's visitor base by promoting awareness of its attractions to special interest travel groups and we have made considerable progress in broadening the destination's appeal to travelers," stressed Mr. Mejren.

The Dubai Government's success in greening the desert has stimulated a major increase and diversification in the bird life of the emirate in recent years. Parks, gardens, golf courses and plantations have all helped to attract new bird life to the emirate.