DTCM brings UK travel agents to Dubai for familiarisation trip

The initiative follows a similar familiarisation trip in October 2005 and demonstrates DTCM's continuing success in creating awareness and knowledge about Dubai as a leading tourist destination in the world.

A further 200 qualified travel executives are also scheduled to come to Dubai on familiarisation trips in June and September 2006, completing the series of four trips for 400 UK "Dubai Expert" travel agents.

"The UK is now Dubai's top tourist generating market with over 605,240 UK hotel guests in 2004. The DTCM recognises the importance of providing training and information about the emirate to the travel industry to ensure that this trend continues," Mr. Hamad bin Mejren, DTCM Manager Missions.

"The DTCM has set new standards since the launch of the Dubai Expert Training programme in March 2005 with over 2,500 organisations registered - almost 800 tour operators and reservation staff and some 1,750 travel agents - that have successfully completed 1,272.50 hours of training to date,' he added.

'By hosting 400 of the leading "Dubai Experts" on four familiarisation trips in Dubai, we are showing our commitment to the travel trade for further training which will, in turn, help executives to increase sales," Mr. Hamad said.

Each fam trip is arranged by the DTCM with support from Dubai-based organisations for 100 top-scoring, qualified "graduates" from the UK who have passed both levels of the comprehensive 18-module course. On the familiarisation trips, agents gain experience of Dubai's product leading to destination knowledge.

Award-winning Emirates is providing 400 seats for the series of four educational courses from Heathrow, Gatwick and Birmingham to enable Dubai Experts to sample some of its direct routes from the UK and in-flight service.

The DTCM UK and Ireland Office also hosted leading travel trade and consumer journalists at special luncheons with the theme "Think You Know Dubai. Think Again."

These lunches were attended by journalists from Conde Nast Traveller, CNN Traveller, Financial Times, Luxury Travel, Sunday Times Travel magazine and other prestigious publications.

Ms. Barbel Kirchner, Director of the UK and Ireland Office gave a speech on the occasion and highlighted the recent developments in Dubai and the different travel offers. The feedback from the UK journalists was very positive.