Dubai featured on the 41st position among preferred worldwide destinations by French travellers

The three-day expo ran from September 26 to 28.

The 100 sqm Dubai stand that welcomed over 600 visitors had stalls by Alpha Tours, Anta Events, Belhasa Global Tourism and Travel, Desert Adventures, Dubai For Destination Tourism, Gulf Circle Tours, Jebel Ali International Hotels, One&Only Royal Mirage Dubai, Net Group of Companies, Rotana Hotels Suites Resorts, SNTTA Emir Tours, Sofitel Le Palace Old Town Island and the Monarch Dubai.

The results of a latest study on the French travel market trends featured Dubai on the 41st position among the 100 preferred worldwide destinations by French visitors gaining four marks against 2005 ranking, ahead of destinations like Singapore and Australia.

According to the study most of the Middle East destinations faced decrease of visitors but Dubai was one of the popular destinations that gained more tourists in 2006 compared to 2005.

Meanwhile, the French and Benelux markets feature a constant increase of 20% average annual increment in hotel guests since the opening of DTCM representative office in France 16 years ago while the half yearly figures of 2007 too are quite encouraging as an increased 10% French, 15% Dutch and 6% Belgian visitors arrived in Dubai.

Six new French tour operators launched the Dubai product for 2007-2008 winter season while 40 MICE-oriented groups representing 5,000 passengers have already confirmed their visit to Dubai.

This was by the DTCM's 18th consecutive annual participation at the exhibition.