Travel agents enjoying DSS like never before

GCC families can enjoy a break from routine and a refreshing vacation in Dubai which is a home away from home for them. Dubai is increasingly being chosen as an ideal summer destination for GCC families looking for a world class entertainment facilities, good holiday and fun for the kids.

In order to tap the huge tourist market several summer packages are offered to GCC residents by travel agents which include discounted or free add-on hotel stays which come along with air tickets. Some packages are also tailor-made to suit the requirement of the customers. Travel agents liaise with airlines and hotels to create attractive packages for families and other visitors. These packages offer holidays in Dubai and a number of other offers such as hotel stay, rent-a-car service, and of course, invites to the innumerable activities taking place during Dubai Summer Surprises.

Jason Mathai, Operations Supervisor, Al Tayyer Travel and Tourism is extremely happy with the response to the special offers during this summer. He said, "We joined in the DSS promotion along with the hotels right from the start of Dubai Summer Surprises 2006 in June. While the response was somewhat lukewarm in the beginning owing to World Cup soccer it picked up soon after the finals of the game. More and more people are deciding to take holiday in Dubai and DSS is a major attraction especially for families with children. People come here for shopping and with so much action happening all around in the malls it's definitely a big incentive. We have tied up with Saudi and Emirates airlines and several Dubai hotels to prepare attractive packages.

"We have brought in many travellers from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and other GCC countries. The enquiries are continuing to trickle in for the remaining phase of the promotion which ends on September 1. The response has been tremendous. Although we haven't analysed the figures yet but the growth in the number of enquiries is on an upward climb quite noticeably."

Hossam Mohammed, GCC Manager Net Tours and Travels sounded upbeat on the trend of inbound tourism during DSS especially from the GCC region. He said that as compared to last year his company has recorded a jump of at least 30 per cent in the sales figures. "We have done well so far and during August as children's vacation in GCC continues we expect the sales to go further up by another 10 per cent or more. It's been a good season as people were attracted to the fabulous schemes and offers on hotel stay and air tickets and of course, the DSS."

He added, "The families avail of the off-season hotel rates. For instance, five-star rates may be too steep in peak season but during off-season they are offered with lots of freebies and discounts which attract the GCC traveller. During DSS kids get a chance to participate in competitions and engaging activities which is a big incentive to spend a few weeks of the vacation here. Then there are shopping discounts and promotions offering big prizes. All these things have generated a huge demand for Dubai as a summer destination."

He pointed out that they are receiving maximum inflow of tourists from Saudi Arabia, followed by Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain. There are lots of people coming in from Oman as well but they mostly come by road.