Dubai Leads by Example at WTM

Visits to Dubai have continued to rise, and with the range of Dubai’s tourism portfolio expanding, attendance at this year’s World Travel Market (WTM) exhibition has once more surpassed expectations, with a delegation of 95 companies on the 506 square metre stand (ME2000).

With the UK and Ireland leading as the largest source markets for visitors to Dubai, the Government of Dubai, Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) will be on hand with a strong team to provide a versatile support framework, encouraging initiatives to develop new business and expand current market share.

With the number and diversity of Dubai’s hotel rooms and apartments set to reach 41,500 by the end of 2006, significance is being placed on ensuring that the growth of demand is proportional to the room capacity. The diversity of new hotel developments is also set to expand, with several innovative 5, 4 and 3-star properties also due to come online. Among the 56 accommodation providers exhibiting on the Dubai stand at WTM will be a range of international and regional groups, with a portfolio that will include the following first time attendees: Arabian Courtyard, Jumeirah Al Khor, Jumeirah Desert Park Aqua Dunya, Moevenpick Resort & Spa Palm Jumeirah, Oasis Beach Tower, Sofitel Le Palace Old Town Island. Also attending for the first time will be Southern Sun Hotels, with new 4-star properties Al Manzil and Qamardeen opening in Dubai by the end of 2006.

With the type and assortment of attractions and activities available in Dubai increasing and evolving, additional opportunities are available for many destination management companies and inbound tour operators to develop both their package content and clientele. Among a total of 24 DMCs, newcomers to WTM are Al Kazemi Tours, Arabian Explorers, Gulf Dunes, Remal al Emarat and Rouba Cargo & Tourism.

Visitors to the Dubai stand will also benefit from being updated about some of the new and innovative developments. Present will be the Ilyas & Mustafa Galadari Group, developers of the City of Arabia – a 20 million square foot development lying at the heart of Dubailand that serves as its gateway and main residential and retail centre.

With Dubai’s tourism sector maturing enough to host and serve an elite class of guest, and inbound figures rising year on year for tourism to provide a major contribution to Dubai’s GDP in 2005, the emirate has a bold approach, an unwavering commitment to quality, and a determination to advance ahead of other leading established and emerging destinations, creating a bright future for Dubai. The focus remains on retaining the balance between supply and demand, whilst also ensuring that portfolio expansion includes developments attractive to a range of demographic groups and categories of traveller.

Khalid bin Sulayem, director general of the DTCM, who is leading Dubai’s delegation at WTM, said: “Dubai continues to provide a tourism product that surpasses the offerings of many of its contemporaries, with unique and pioneering developments that expand the realm of what can be achieved. Dubai is committed to creating a diversified product applicable to all seasons, consumers, and markets, and with the advent of developments like Burj Dubai, which will be the world’s tallest tower, one can see just how this is possible”.

Baerbel Kirchner, director of the UK and Ireland representative office of the DTCM, stated: “As predicted, Dubai is in the beneficial position of having seen a very healthy growth in visitor arrivals over the past ten years. For four consecutive years the UK and Ireland have emerged as Dubai’s top markets, with strong growth – 13 per cent – in 2005 when over 703,569 British and Irish guests arrived in the emirate”.

Throughout the year the DTCM carries out marketing activities and promotional campaigns in tandem with the travel trade, providing both a support structure and an information network. WTM provides the ideal opportunity to showcase the developments and trends for Dubai’s tourism sector. The DTCM also continues to focus on raising Dubai’s destination profile through a range of media, including tactical press campaigns, PR initiatives and involvement in key consumer events.

Baerbel Kirchner concluded: “In line with the momentum and fluidity of Dubai’s tourism product, accuracy of information is as important as ever in order to ensure that the quality of content delivery is of a consistently high standard. Through ‘Dubai Expert’ the DTCM’s online training programme, we provide regular updates to our registered users, keeping them abreast of new developments, tips, and the latest statistics”.

In 2005, Dubai experienced a 14 per cent growth in worldwide visitor statistics to almost 6.2 million from 5.4 million in 2006. Of these visitors, 703,569 originated from the UK and Ireland. Figures for the first six months of 2006 also indicate that these markets have performed exceptionally well. Dubai is predicting 15 million international visitors by 2010.

To receive more information about the DTCM’s ‘Dubai Expert’ training programme and to register online visit www.dubaiexpert.co.uk .