Source: www.ameinfo.com
As World Travel Market prepares for its 2009 launch, Dubai Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) gets set to showcase its plans for the coming year.
From the opening of the world’s longest automatic driverless rail transport system, to the completion of the world’s tallest building, as well as continued investment in tourism and unrivalled support of the travel trade, Dubai is reaffirming its dominant position as an exciting and formidable presence in the global tourism industry.
This year at WTM the DTCM will have over 60 co-participants on a 616.25 sqm stand, including hoteliers – such as the One&Only Royal Mirage hotel, Sofitel Luxury Hotels, Rotana Hotels, and The Address Hotels & Resorts; ground handlers including Gulf Tours and Orient Tours; and activity providers such as Dubai Golf and Seawings (seaplanes).
The presence of such an array of co-participants reinforces the fact that there has never been a better time to visit Dubai; with the introduction of increasingly competitive prices from a tourism destination that acknowledges the change in the global economy and the motivations of travellers.
The DTCM has focused on adding value to make some of the world’s most exclusive hotels even more affordable to a wider market with campaigns including the “Kids Go Free” promotion this summer promotion in conjunction with several Dubai suppliers. These successful initiatives have assisted in driving visitors to Dubai, with a recorded 3.85m guests in the first half of 2009, an increase of 5% from the previous year.
And now it couldn’t be easier for visitors to get around. Dubai is already home to some of the world’s most ambitious and groundbreaking infrastructure; a reputation which has been further strengthened by the 09/09/09 unveiling of the pioneering Dubai Metro, the world’s longest driverless train system with over 70km of track. The new Metro is among the most technologically advanced in the world. It will ease traffic in the ever expanding city, reduce travelling times and air pollution while giving both tourists and residents scenic, convenient and cheap travel.
Already renowned for its luxury hotels and world-class facilities, Dubai will reach new heights when the world’s tallest building, Burj Dubai, opens later this year – once again intensifying international competition for unique visitor attractions. Burj Dubai will also be home to and Observation Deck on Level 124 and the world’s first ‘Armani Hotel’ designed by Georgio Armani himself, comprising 175 guest rooms and suites, five restaurants and a spa.
The Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing was rewarded for its work to support the travel industry at the recent TTG Travel Awards 2009 winning Tourist Board of the Year. In 2009 the DTCM has enhanced its innovative on-line newsletter and comprehensive dedicated website for the UK & Ireland travel trade, Dubai Update.
It now features training facilities and the ability to manage familiarisation trips on-line. These continued improvements are leading to increased traffic to the website with more people than ever signing up to receive the monthly Dubai Update e-newsletter. In July alone over 8,400 people received the tourism newsletter and website hits doubled in the last three months. This is in conjunction with Dubai Expert, the online training programme especially tailored to meet the needs of travel executives.
Dubai also remains committed to providing attractive incentives for agents, and in 2009 the DTCM is teaming up with a number of tour operators, airlines and hotels to offer agents the opportunity to experience Dubai first-hand on familiarisation trips. These run alongside regular dinners in partnership with key tour operators around the country to reward, train and further motivate top-performing agents.
Commenting on 2009 and the challenges met by Dubai, Ian Scott, director UK and Ireland for the Government of Dubai, Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), says:
“At this year’s World Travel Market we will be showcasing the DTCM and Dubai’s achievements as well as providing an insight into what to expect for 2010 and beyond. Dubai is part of the global economy so business has been tough. However, swift and appropriate measures taken by the government of Dubai, including an active investment in tourism and infrastructure, have ensured a revival. Throughout this challenging period, we have remained realistic but confident; the figures speak for themselves showing that Dubai is on the road to recovery. Dubai is a bold destination with some of the world’s most prolific attractions and continues to offer the ultimate holiday experience.”
