Bin Sulayem: hotels & tour operators promote Dubai

The Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing in Dubai (DTCM), in a bid to boost tourism sector, had a meeting with industry group in the emirate. The meeting, held at Madinat Jumeirah, saw the presence of the representatives of the industry group, directors. The Dubai Airports and Emaar Group gave two presentations on their new projects and plans. Khalid Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Director General, DTCM, paid a tribute to the attendees for their participation in local and abroad events and fairs to attract more tourists to Dubai. “The function is part of DTCM’s effort to remove all the obstacles hampering tourist sector, update and exchange information on the emirate’s new projects and plans.” A briefing was also given on the Department’s new initiatives and marketing schemes in tourist markets across the world to increase the number of Dubai tourists every year. In his presentation on the Dubai Airport Expansion Project 2020, Cian O Sullivan, Head of Retail, Dubai Airports, said while 47.2 million passengers used Dubai Airports in 2010, the number is expected to jump to 98.2 million in 2020. “As many as 56 million passengers are anticipated to use the Dubai Airports by the end of 2012 whereas the cargos to be handled this year will most likely exceed 2.5 million tonnes.” Expecting further hike, Sullivan said the capacity of Dubai Airports is to rise to 75 million passengers in the beginning of 2013. “The ongoing airport expansion project, costing up to $8 billion, will help cope with an unprecedented growth in passengers’ numbers,” he said, adding that “the revenues of Dubai aviation sector, hitting $22 billion, contribute by 22% of the emirate’s GDP.” Talking about the “Downtown Dubai”, William Oburu, Emaar Group, said the luxurious area is located on 500 acres. “These include Burj Khalifa (the tallest tower in the world), the Dubai Mall (the largest shopping and entertainment destination in the world), along with 33 residential towers, eight international hotels, a variety of recreational facilities, and other sights.” Hailing DTCM’s initiatives to attract more tourists to Dubai, Abdin Nasralla, Vice President, Meydan Hotels & Hospitality Division Hospitality Liaison Group, said the Department’s marketing efforts have led to exceptional results. “More tourists and visitors, particularly from Russia, China, India, and the GCC, will visit the emirate in the remaining three months of the year after the expansion of the Eid Al Adha celebration for two weeks.” “Dubai spare no effort to develop its tourist products, by playing host to new exhibitions and conferences, for example, which attract more tourists to the emirate,” Nasralla added. Ghassan Al Aridi, CEO, Alpha Tours, said such meetings between public and private sectors are very critical to boost tourism sector in the emirate. “They do help update information about new tourist products in Dubai, and overcome all obstacles hampering the sector and solve them with the bodies concerned.” Al Aridi added that the Q4 this year will see a significant growth in the number of Dubai tourists as a result of the new markets opened, as well as the development and promotion of the existing ones. “However, we look forward to more attention to the views and proposals of the tourism sector in Dubai to better develop the emirate’s tourist products.” Osama Bushra, Chief Operating Officer, Travco Middle East, said the meeting is a good chance to exchange views, update tourist information, overcome all obstacles, and hence attract more tourists to Dubai. “DTCM plays an important role in coordination with all the bodies concerned to particularly increase the number of cruise tourists to Dubai.”