DTCM hosts top Dubai experts from the UK and Ireland

The trip is the fourth in a series of mega familiarisation visits over 12 months and is a key element of Dubai Expert, the DTCM's online training programme for travel executives in the UK and Ireland.

The familiarisation trip, which was hosted by the DTCM in conjunction with leading Dubai-based organisations, enabled the travel industry professionals to gain additional knowledge by experiencing some of the emirate's finest features, first-hand.

Structured in four groups, the 'Dubai Experts' travelled on four flights provided by Emirates.

Barbel Kirchner, DTCM Director of UK and Ireland, said, "The DTCM recognises the importance of providing training and information about Dubai for the travel industry to ensure that this trend continues. By hosting our 'Dubai Expert' graduates on a familiarisation trip in Dubai, we are showing our commitment to the industry for their further training which will, in turn, help them to increase sales."

The attendees stayed at some of Dubai's finest beach and city hotels to provide them with a detailed insight into the various types of properties available to business and leisure visitors.

These included the Grand Hyatt Dubai; the Moevenpick Bur Dubai; Habtoor Grand Resort & Spa on Jumeirah Beach; the Crowne Plaza and the Novotel World Trade Centre.

To make the most of their visit to Dubai, detailed and informative itineraries were arranged by the ground handler, Gulf Circle Tours, for each group to provide them with enhanced knowledge of the emirate and assist them in effectively promoting and selling Dubai as the ultimate year round destination.

Activities included a desert safari in four wheel drive vehicles through Dubai's desert dunes and a city tour to some of the destination's amazing landmarks including a tour of Jumeirah Mosque where they were informed about Islam and the ongoing Holy Month of Ramadan.

Each of the four groups came together for an industry workshop at Le Meridien Dubai where the Dubai Experts were given key information about the DTCM and Dubai.

The groups were also treated to a dinner cruise in a traditional wooden Arabian 'dhow' on the Creek.

Dubai has experienced a very strong and sustained increase in visitor arrivals over the last ten years and many of the 190 UK and Irish tour operators featuring Dubai are seeing a further rise in demand.