THE Orange County Visitors Association of California (OCVA) has opened its first promotional office in the Middle East in Dubai. The new office is the first continuous presence in Dubai by a US tourism association and OCVA’s third off-shore office.
“Being represented in the Middle East is very important to us for a number of reasons,” said Ed Fuller, OCVA’s president and chief executive officer. “Nearly one million Middle Eastern travellers visited the US last year. They came to visit our world-class family attractions and theme parks, shop, attend concerts, take in the sites and unique outdoor experiences—all attributes we have in abundance in Orange County, a destination travellers the world over refer to as ‘The OC’. “Furthermore, the fastest-growing, nonstop, bi-lateral commercial airline service in the world today is between the UAE and the US, up 1,500 per cent in the past decade,” he continued.“At the same time, California is home to the largest Middle Eastern immigrant population in the US. We are determined to ensure that Middle Easterners, especially those from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE , who are planning a visit to the US and California in the near future, know about Orange County and to assure them they will feel right at home in the OC.”Heading OCVA’s Dubai office will be Glenn Johnston, vice-president, corporate communications and public relations, director Middle East and Australasia, Aviareps. “I am honoured to introduce to all in the Middle East Orange County’s casual sophistication, pristine beaches, legendary theme parks, inspirational shopping, endless options for fun in the sun and cultural exploration. As the US’s first tourism association to have a permanent presence in the Gulf, I applaud OC’s vision in choosing to reach out to all in the Middle East to say ‘Welcome! Come visit us’,” Johnston said. In late October, there will be a sales mission to Dubai from the Orange County. The Orange County Visitors Association has over 700 partners in hospitality and tourism who work to create a welcoming environment for the 43.8 million visitors who come to The OC annually and spend $8.7 billion in the county. Orange County is located in the heart of Southern California and provides easy access to all the attractions the region offers.