Dubai hosts famous travel writers

The Multimedia Travel Communicator Consultants, Mrs. Colleen Gantzer and Mr. Hugh Gantzer, are well-known in travel and tourism industry circles in different parts of the world, especially India. They write extensively in several newspapers and magazines in India and other parts of Asia and beyond.

The DTCM organised a visit to Palm Island, Hatta Heritage Village and the Dubai Marina for the visiting journalists. A tour of the Dubai's free zones, including Dubai International Airport and EMAAR properties has been for them in the next two days.

DTCM Officer Missions Mr. Talal Al Suwaidi said: "The journalists, who are visiting Dubai for the second time, are very happy to see the developments taking place. We have already shown them around some of the key developments and have lined up visits to other key landmarks until their stay here."

The DTCM, as part of its aggressive promotional and marketing agenda, hosted 356 inward missions in 2003, up from 255 in 1999. Of this, 210 were by the media professionals followed by 127 by tour operators and other tourism industry professionals.

As many as 31 countries from across different geographical zones visited the emirate under the popular programme which benefited a total of 3,042. The maximum visitors for this Dubai promotion initiative came from Germany (598) followed by the UK (390), Australia (107), Russia (93) and Italy (69).

The visiting missions comprise of various categories such as media, tourism companies, businessmen and VIPs. The department may sponsor or provide assistance to the mission by preparing an itinerary, arranging their tours and programs, visas if necessary. The Department also hosts numerous missions for high-level government delegations.