DTCM conducts Dubai road shows in Far East

A tourism delegation from Dubai visited Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong to promote Dubai as a top-of-mind tourist destination in the region.

The main objective of the Dubai road shows was to further strengthen the presence of Dubai in the select affluent Far Eastern markets, and to update the local travel trade industry about new tourism products, packages and attractions.

The delegation comprises sales representatives from 16 tour operators, seven hoteliers and an airline.

Mr. Nayef Ibrahim, Head of Australia & Asia Region at DTCM's Overseas Promotions Department, said:

"We are thrilled to see phenomenal growth of visitors from Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong in 2008, despite the economic hardship witnessed throughout the world, including in Asia. These three markets contributed 132,825 visitors to Dubai's rapidly growing tourism sector in 2008, a 27% increase compared to 2007."

"We are expecting the road shows to pay off in the immediate future, and we are confident that we can achieve a 20% increase in arrivals from the Far East in the coming year. The road shows will be a driving force by actively promoting Dubai to Asian travel agents."

Up to 400 to 450 travel agents attended the three-city road shows, which featured presentations, a mini exhibition, an international buffet and a lucky draw for a trip to Dubai. The road shows were co-sponsored by Emirates Airline, Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts and Royal Gulf Tourism.