Dubai 2003 participates at EIBTM in Geneva

It will also give the city's superb range of hotels a platform to promote their world-class facilities and amenities to a truly global audience and help to boost longer-term interest in tourism in both Dubai and the United Arab Emirates.

The arrival of an estimated 14,000-plus visitors to Dubai means that every leading hotel in the city is already booked with hoteliers and hospitality sector managers anticipating a massive boost to the local economy from the event.

Speaking in Geneva where a Dubai 2003 delegation is participating in the annual European Incentive, Business, Travel and Meetings (EIBTM) event, General Coordinator, Mr. Ibrahim Belselah said: "The Annual Meetings in September will give the hotel and hospitality industry in Dubai and the UAE a massive financial boost and a wonderful platform for the peak tourism season later in the year.

"The last two weeks of September will guarantee hotels nearly 100 per cent occupancy, give restaurant and leisure outlets a huge opportunity for additional business and allow our guests to experience the heritage, environment and superb visitor facilities that the United Arab Emirates has to offer."

Mr. Belselah added that he was confident that the Annual Meetings would also give the hotel and hospitality industry a longer-term boost with visitors from 184 countries having the opportunity to experience first hand the world-class hotels and other amenities on offer.

"The members of our Accommodation Committee have been working hard for several years in partnership with every hotel in Dubai to ensure that the facilities are in place to host such a prestigious gathering. They also recognise the massive opportunity that the event gives the industry to further boost the country's rapidly growing reputation as a magnificent tourism destination," he added.

Dubai 2003's participation at the EIBTM is the latest of a series of international marketing initiatives being undertaken to promote the United Arab Emirates to a global audience as the countdown continues to the Annual Meetings in September.

The Annual Meetings of the Boards of Governors of the World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund were first held in Washington DC in 1946. They are hosted by an international city, other than Washington DC, one year in three. Dubai and the UAE were selected because of its highly developed transportation and logistics infrastructure, growing importance as a financial hub and its established position as an oasis of opportunity.