THIS year’s World Travel Market (WTM) is set to be another success for the Government of Dubai, Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM). Agents are invited to the Dubai stand (ME200) to meet Andrew Flintoff (Monday, November 7) who, having lived in the emirate with his family during 2010, will be support DTCM to promote the emirate’s sporting interests and in particular the England v Pakistan test match to be held in Dubai, in January-February 2012.
Meanwhile, to bring across the depth of the destination’s very diverse product offering to the travel trade, Dubai will demonstrate its culture and heritage with authentic Arabian traditions on the stand. Following its success from last year, there will be a designated culture and heritage area where agents can experience a taste of Dubai with a henna tattoo artist, two falcons and a calligrapher drawing visitors’ names in Arabic script for them to take away as a souvenir. Elsewhere on the Dubai stand, Arabic mint tea will be served and Emirati students will be on-hand to offer their local knowledge of Dubai with first-hand descriptions of life in the emirate.
The DTCM will also be hosting a networking breakfast for some key tour operators during WTM. This invitation-only event will provide an invaluable platform for introductions to some of the new co-exhibitors on the stand which include; Dubai Camel Racing Club, Costa Cruises, Park Regis Kris Kin Hotel – which was recently officially certified by the DTCM as a five-star hotel – and Mövenpick Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel which offers all-inclusive packages for guests.
Also on the stand, agents will hear about the diversity of product - particularly for families, an under utilised opportunity for agent sales. New hotels such as the Jumeirah Creekside Hotel from Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts which will be showcasing their new five-star, 292-guestroom property, due to open by end 2011. Visitors can also learn about the DTCM’s services for the travel trade including the Dubai Expert online training programme as well as the Dubai Update e-newsletter which were revamped in 2011.
With a newly designed stand, the DTCM will be joined by co-exhibitors across some 60 booths including some of Dubai’s leading hotels and resorts and key destination management companies.
Ian Scott, director UK and Ireland for the DTCM, comments: “At World Travel Market 2011, the DTCM is delighted to be joined by sports ambassador to Dubai, Andrew Flintoff. With the help of such a sporting icon, the exhibition will again provide an excellent platform for us and many of Dubai’s leading industry partners to promote Dubai and showcase its diversity, reinforcing its position as one of the world’s most important tourism destinations. The exhibition will also enable us to further educate travel agents and build relationships with key tour operator partners. With continually increasing international visitor numbers and many inspirational developments scheduled for opening in 2012, we are anticipating a successful and busy WTM.”