Expanded French Riviera link for Middle East travellers

Emirates' current three flights a week between Dubai and Nice, each with a stop in Rome, will change to five weekly non-stop services from 1st December 2008. These new services, coinciding with the airline's 15th anniversary of flights to Nice, will allow travellers to access the cities of Nice, Cannes and Monaco with greater convenience.

'From mountain forests and towering snow capped summits offering some of the world's best skiing to the glamour and sunshine of the coastal cities, Côte d'Azur offers a range of tourist landscapes all within an hour's drive. This diversity is hugely attractive to the Middle East traveller,' said Pascal Lepetre, the Director of Maison de la France - Middle East, addressing a press conference at the Arabian Travel Market.

A glamorous summer escape for Arabian travellers, Cannes is famous for its chic lifestyle and exciting calendar of events, including the celebrated Cannes International Film Festival.

The cultural effervescence of Nice offers a history-laden destination bustling with the latest shopping and set on 7.5 kilometres of stunning beaches.

The luxury destination of Monaco is renowned for its cultural assets, opulent accommodation and shopping as well as major events such as the Monaco Formula One Grand Prix and Monte Carlo Rally.

All these alluring cities are located within easy commuting distance of the Nice Côte d'Azur Airport, to which Emirates Airline will begin its direct flights.

The second busiest airport in France, with more than 10 million travellers annually and capacity for an additional 3 million, the airport recently unveiled plans for further expansion in a five-year strategic plan, which includes building major new structures, developing airport services and deploying environmental management systems.

Airline partnerships, such as its new agreement with Emirates Airline, are also important to the airport.

The cities of the Côte d'Azur are featured on the Maison de la France stand, located at EU 740 in Zabeel Hall, along with other appealing travel destinations in France.

With more than 78 million foreign tourists visiting France in 2006, up nearly 3% on the previous year, France continues to be the world's number one tourist destination, according to Maison de la France, the official organization promoting France abroad. Although official statistics for 2007 are not yet available, the authority's initial figures show a further increase of 2.6% to 80 million tourists.

This year's ATM runs from May 6 to 9 at the Dubai International Exhibition & Convention Centre.