Global travel industry players get updates on Dubai tourism offerings at WTM-2009

Measuring 616.84 square metres and shared by 77 co-participants, Dubai Stand at the 30th edition of the world's largest business-to-business travel and tourism exhibition has remained a beehive of activity with streams of visitors getting themselves updated with Dubai developments and expressing their strong confidence in the emirate's ever-expanding tourism product bouquet.

Dubai's strong participation in the WTM comes close on the heels of DTCM's UK and Ireland Representative Office bagging three awards for being the best tourist board in the UK, elbowing out several long-established destinations.

DTCM was awarded a trophy by The British Travel Awards, acknowledged as the largest arbiter of public opinion on travel industry performance in the UK. Earlier, DTCM was presented with Best Tourist Board award by the leading travel trade publication Travel Trade Gazette (TTG) - an award voted for principally by the UK travel agents.

Mr. Khalid A bin Sulayem, DTCM Director General, said:

"The recognitions will motivate us to raise the bar for our services offered to the travel industry and tourists, especially in the UK which remained a top source market for Dubai's tourism industry."

The four-day show at Excel London, which concludes tomorrow, attracted over 50,000 travel industry professionals, government officials and ministers and international media representatives.

During a visit to Dubai Stand, the UAE ambassador to UK, Mr. Abdul Rahman Ghanem Al Mutaiwee, expressed happiness at the strong presence of the UAE in general and Dubai in particular at the exhibition which will help create even stronger awareness about the country and its vibrant tourism sector.

He said the country holds huge growth potential in travel and tourism sectors as the world economy recovers. The selection of UAE as the headquarters of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the hosting of Formula 1 has enhanced the profile of the UAE globally, he said, adding that several new tourist facilities that have opened in the recent months will help keep the country as a sough-after year-round tourist attraction.

He also praised the participation of UAE-based airlines - Emirates, Etihad and Air Arabia - in the WTM which will help promote the destination to the world.

During the tour, the Emirati envoy was briefed about the highlights of the Dubai Stand by the DTCM Executive Director Corporate Support, Mr. Ibrahim Yaqoot, DTCM Director Overseas Promotions and Inward Missions, Mr. Saleh Mohammed Al Geziry, and DTCM Deputy Director Overseas Promotions and Inward Missions, Mr. Abdullah bin Suwaidan.

Mr. Al Mutaiwee said the international launch of Definitely Dubai branding will play a major role in promoting the emirate and the marketing of tourist attractions in Dubai.

At the WTM, DTCM launched Definitely Dubai as the official tourism brand for DTCM's promotion of Dubai. Under the umbrella of DTCM, Definitely Dubai will provide many marketing opportunities and tools for the tourism professional engaged in the promotion of Dubai.

DTCM hosted a reception for over 150 travel industry professionals from the UK and Ireland markets and representatives of the co-participant organizations to brief them about Definitely Dubai and consolidate the bilateral relations.

Mr. Al Geziry explained how Definitely Dubai branding can be utilized to optimize the marketing of Dubai in the overseas markets.

A raffle draw for Emirates Airlines ticket for Dubai trip as part of the Definitely Dubai campaign was conducted with the airline's representative underscoring the good relations that DTCM and Emirates Airlines enjoy in promoting Dubai across the world.

Officials said Dubai Stand will help attract more visitors from the UK and Europe, which has remained the largest source market for Dubai's booming tourism industry since 2002.

The UK and Ireland together remains the largest source market for Dubai tourism industry with 854,601 visitors in 2008, an increase of 14% over the previous year.

In the first half of 2009, 383,197 visitors from UK and Ireland stayed in Dubai hotel establishments.

The number of UK passengers using Dubai Airport in 2008 was 3.55m, an increase of 20% over the previous year.

There was 4% increase in the number of tour operators featuring Dubai in the UK market, while the number of British companies in Dubai recorded a 6% increase in 2008. There was 77% increase in the Dubai trade value with the UK in 2008.