Dubai 2003, convention and tourism facilities highlighted at Mediterranean Travel Fair in Cairo

The emirate's Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) is participating in the Mediterranean Travel Fair that runs at the Cairo International Convention & Exhibition Centre from September 16th to 18th.

"Egypt is the perfect setting for a travel fair - prompting our decision to broadcast the message of Dubai from there," said Khalid bin Sulayem, Dubai 2003 Steering Committee member and DTCM Director General.

"The southern Europe and Mediterranean area is not only itself tourism-oriented, but is known globally for its attractions. We expect the global tourism and MICE industry to be represented at this premier event and we wanted to present Dubai as the preferred destination to leading industry representatives," bin Sulayem added.

He said global awareness about Dubai's tourism attractions and infrastructure has been growing rapidly. This message - which has been substantially enhanced through Dubai 2003 - will continue to be sustained and strengthened.

"But what we would really be concentrating on is promoting the UAE as a global centre for conventions. We will present our capability in successfully hosting the Annual Meetings of the Board of Governors of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), as a case in point."

The newly-built US$650 million Dubai International Convention Centre will be the star of DTCM's participation at the Mediterranean Travel Fair..

"We are expecting sizeable interest from the world MICE trade - as is always the case when Dubai comes up with something new," bin Sulayem added.

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