DSF fascinates WTM visitors

The world loves Dubai, and wants to come calling, in ever increasing numbers, from the old world, and the new! If the Irish and the British have been familiar faces, Canadians are now showing a remarkable enthusiasm to know more and more about the UAE, especially Dubai, which has caught their imagination thanks largely to the Dubai Shopping Festival and its stupendous success over the last 10 years.

The World Travel Market 2005, which ran from November 14 to 17 in London, was witness to this splendid obsession with Dubai. The event saw a large Dubai presence with a DSF delegation and stall very much the centre of attraction for visitors from all over the world.

Headed by Marwan Al Sarkal, Director of Finance and Administration, the DSF delegation included Ghazi Al Madani, marketing coordinator, and Suhaila Gobash, sponsorship manager.

Led by the DSF's international media partners, Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce (DTCM) who have been associated with the world travel event for the last 16 years, the Dubai delegation had 98 public and private sector organisations at this 26th edition of WTM.

For the DSF delegation, it was the third participation in WTM. "This was the third time we participated in the WTM and I am happy things went out very well for us. Ours was the first stall at the huge Dubai stand and we were among the 98 participants including hotels and tour operators," Marwan Al Sarkal said.

He said the success of the participation could be gauged from the number of people who visited the DSF stall with inquiries about the festival in particular and Dubai in general. Mostly people asked the dates of the festival and its various attractions including shopping (bargains, sales), winning (raffles) and entertainment (carnivals and musical shows). Many already knew about DSF as they said they had watched it on TV and many had also come calling during the various editions of DSF," Marwan said.

Incidentally, visitors from Canada showed a lot of interest in the annual shopping extravaganza and its message "Expect the World. And Get it". "That is a new market for us," Marwan quipped. Not just Canada, an increasing number of UK travellers have also rated Dubai over destinations like New York, at least when it comes to a 'short-break' holiday. With greater air connectivity between Dubai and the UK and the emirate offering a charming blend of Arabic hospitality and five-star luxury, golden sunshine and sea-beaches, British holiday-makers are heading towards Dubai in larger numbers.

Dubai has seen a very robust increase in UK visitor arrivals over the last 10 years. Since 2002, the UK has emerged as Dubai's top market with exceptionally strong growth - over 30 per cent in 2004. Around 600,000 British guests arrived in Dubai in 2004.

Establishment of six five-star luxury properties in 2005 and improved air-connectivity has also helped Dubai strengthen its position in the UK market. Currently 115 direct flights link Dubai and the UK and 190 UK tour operators feature Dubai in their itinerary, with their numbers expected to grow parallel to the rapid expansion of Dubai's tourism infrastructure.

Marwan Al Sarkal informed that people were also aware of Dubai because of football, and the queries on the game being hosted in Dubai came thick and fast, especially from German visitors. "People were also keen to know about the dress code vis-a vis their concept of an Islamic country, the climate etc. Many found Modhesh, the ever-smiling Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) mascot amazing when they were presented with souvenirs of the sunny-faced character embossed on them." he said.

A lot of magazines and website hosts were also very keen to do features on DSF and to highlight its various activities.