REAL package tour operator Holiday Factory opened doors in the UAE earlier this year with the promise to offer competitive and affordable package deals across Asia, Europe, Indian Ocean and the Middle East.
“Since our opening, we have seen strong responses from the market for our real packages and have set up big targets for ourselves to become the leading tour operator in the region.”
“This system of affordable package holidays termed ‘mass’ tourism has been available to the European and other markets for over forty years. Through Holiday Factory, the UAE will experience it for the first time,” added Bakar.
Holiday Factory is owned by a German holding company Brainnox Investment & Management Group, based here in Dubai for the last six years. The company has been offering real tour packages in Europe since 1970.
“The UAE has over 1000 travel agencies and tour operators who create packages for clients on a daily basis.This is where the Holiday Factory comes in. We have a brochure offering real prices and the best prices available in the market.”
We negotiate with our partners and offer our clients the best possible rates in the market. We work with over 230 hotels and about 20 airlines for special rates,” he added.
Bakar believes that the concept of the real package is here to stay, not only for what it offers, but also for its price factor. “You will never find or be able to make your own package on the internet at a rate lower than what we offer and that’s a guarantee we offer,” he added.
While the company does cater to the high-end market, the focus is more on the mid-market income group. “Most of the existing tour operators cater to high-end or luxury tourists, who chose to stay in five-star hotels and fly full-service airlines. Our product is for the middle class and we offer them the choice of four and three-star hotels and fly budget airlines too. We have also witnessed an increase in demand for excursions and exploration to different cities in the country they visit.”
While consumers who walk into Holiday Factory’s outlet at Dubai Festival Centre (DFC) is a key sales channel, the company also deals with over 50 travel agents and tour operators across the region. “We have a team of business development managers who sell our products to these agents.”
Their summer brochure, launched in May 2011, has been a huge hit with over 200 hotels and resorts as well as tailor made tours. “Some of the much sought after destinations have been Turkey, Malaysia, Thailand and the traditional European destinations including Austria, Germany and Switzerland.
We are now planning our winter brochure and have some attractive packages on offer.
In terms of destinations, Austria and Switzerland continue to be a popular choice, but with new hotels offerings winter experiences like skiing.” said Bakar. On offer are winter holiday packages to Thailand for as little as Dh2,700 ($735).