UAE favourite for long haul events

DTCM Manager Overseas Promotion Mr. Khalifa Ali Buamaim said, "The DTCM has continued to succeed in attracting strong world interest in Dubai's rapidly-expanding infrastructure which was evident during its recent participation in the IMEX for the third successive year. With our strong and continued presence in IMEX, we showcased our abilities and resources to host big-size meetings and events. The great progress achieved by Dubai through the efforts of the DTCM and its co-participants during the exhibition will soon be tangible and visible."

Mr. Awadh Al Seghayer, Manager Dubai Convention Bureau of the DTCM said, "We are very satisfied with the event as the hosted buyers show attracted a lot of interest in the Dubai product. Besides the activities on the Dubai stand, off-site functions such as BestCities were a valuable networking tool to further promote Dubai."

The co-participants too expressed their satisfaction at having participated in the event. According to Mr. Rohit Bhalla, Business Development Manager of Desert Rangers Travel, Tours and Adventure Sports, "We participated for the first time in IMEX. The fair was beyond our expectations and we are very pleased with the high credibility of the buyers. Our decision for a stronger investment in the German travel and MICE market has already proven to be right."

Mr. Agnelo Fernandez, Managing Director 1001 Events, a company entirely focused on MICE and Product launches for more than 15 years, also expressed his satisfaction at their participation and voted IMEX as a well organized and the number one exhibition worldwide for the MICE market as it was increasingly attracting serious buyers.

Meanwhile, IMEX published a study into the German outbound conference and incentive market which revealed that MICE agencies and corporate planners were gearing up for a busy year.

More than 90 per cent of those surveyed said that they are expecting steady or increasing business during 2005 while more than 80 per cent of those participating in the survey said that they saw a growing tendency to use long haul destinations.

The UAE was frequently mentioned by MICE agents when asked to name their favourite countries for a long haul events.

The German-speaking market ranks third in the global MICE market after the US and the UK with 16,000 corporate buyers of meetings & incentives and 1,000 MICE operating agents.

PHOTO CAPTION1: Dubai Convention Bureau Manager of the DTCM Mr. Awadh Al Seghayer.
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