'fdi Dubai 2007' to generate Dh150 million per day as tourism revenue for city

The four-day Congress, which is being held for the first time in the region, will also lead to a host of indirect long-term benefits to Dubai.

This was announced at a high-level meeting held yesterday at Jumeriah Beach Hotel between the Organizing Committee of fdi Dubai 2007 and key representatives from the hospitality and tourism sector of Dubai. The meeting discussed and evaluated the preparation for the Congress, which will be held at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre from October 24 to 27.

The international event will be inaugurated by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, UAE Minister of Finance and Industry and Chairman of the Dubai Health Authority.

The meeting was chaired by Dr Ahmed Al Banna, Deputy Chairman of the Organizing Committee and Chairman of Hospitality and Media Committees, fdi Dubai 2007 and was attended by Aiman Al Madani, Member of the Organizing, Hospitality and Media Committees.

In his comments at the meeting, Dr Al Banna announced Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) will be pressing into service 50 shuttle buses on a round-the-clock basis. These buses, which will be used to transport the delegates during the Congress, will be running in 15-20-30 minute intervals to and from the venues/ hotels. After the Congress, the RTA will dedicate the buses for public usage, Dr Al Banna said.

The main topics that came up for discussion during the meeting included the transportation arrangements at the hotels and the venue. Mr Al Banna also informed that 10 listed hotels were fully booked, while 18 of them have reported 65% occupancy for the duration of the Congress, whereas the others are receiving booking and registration requests on a daily basis. With nearly 80% of the delegates being first time visitors to the Middle East, the Congress will play a pivotal role in harnessing the tourism potential, he added.

During the meeting, Mr Aiman Al Madani made a presentation outlining the history of the fdi Congress, which is hosting its 107th edition in Dubai. In promoting the Congress worldwide, the fdi Dubai 2007 Organizing Committee led several high-level delegations to US, Canada, Singapore, Brazil, Russia, Saudi Arabia, China, Germany, Italy, France and organized press conferences in India, Jordan, Syria, Libya, Tunis, Egypt and Bahrain.

The Congress, which has a membership of more than a million dentists worldwide, will see representations from 165 countries.