Irish travel trade vote Dubai as 'best long-haul destination'

Dubai bagged the top honour in a poll conducted among the travel agents throughout Ireland to select their preferred suppliers and destinations among 30 categories. The votes were audited and verified by independent auditors, Ernst & Young.

The gala event was attended by over 600 representatives of the travel industry, including representatives from across the world.
The department has scooped more than 30 awards in different categories in trade exhibitions and other events since its establishment in 1997.

Dubai's popularity got another seal of global approval after a survey by the American Express placed the emirate among the top 10 long-haul holiday destinations for the tourists from the United Kingdom.

In fact, Dubai improved its popularity ranking in 2004 by climbing three more positions to be the fourth most-favored long-haul holiday hotspot. Dubai is the only destination in the Middle East and North Africa region to be featured on the 'Top 10' list of the trend survey conducted in August 2004.

Barbel Kirchner, Director of the UK and Ireland office of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), received the award and thanked the members of Irish travel trade for their strongest interest in the dynamic destination.

The department, through its network of 14 Overseas Representative Offices covering almost all the geographical regions of the world, has been aggressively promoting Dubai as an all-appealing, year-round business and leisure destination.

The department is pushing ahead its aggressive marketing promotions in 2005 by adding more trade shows to its list of overseas promotions to tap its established and fast-emerging source markets.

While the department is participating in 31 exhibitions, it is conducting a total of 12 road shows all over the world, a 70 per cent increase over 2004, to put Dubai more firmly on the world map.

The UK and Ireland accounts for a sizeable source market for the Dubai's booming tourism industry and the number of visitors from this part of the world has been witnessing substantial growth due to excellent connectivity, world-class hospitality services and other tourism-related facilities.

Dubai's sunny weather, undefiled beaches, abundant choice of luxury hotels and amazing shopping options, leisure facilities and scenic desert-scape have all contributed towards making the emirate as one of the world's sought-after holiday destinations, especially among the Europeans.

An increasing number of tourists from different parts of the world have been exploring the old world charm of Arabia along with the modernity through their visits to Dubai.
The department, through strong public-private sector partnership, has been showcasing Dubai's impressive facilities in trade exhibitions and road shows.