DTCM - DWTC discuss promotion of convention business and joint marketing

The Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing's (DTCM) Director General, Khalid A. bin Sulayem met recently with Dubai World Trade Centre's (DWTC) Director General, Mubarak bin Fahad and discussed the potential of combining forces to promote the convention business in Dubai as well as other joint marketing initiatives to raise the emirate's profile as a top class destination for meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions.

Mr. bin Sulayem said during the meeting, "We have been actively involved in the promotion of Dubai as a destination for the business travel segment and the MICE sector forms an important component of Dubai's tourism industry. The emirate is one of the most exciting new destinations to emerge on the MICE market in recent years and has already achieved considerable success because it fits distinctively into the meetings organiser's ideal profile of somewhere new and different that combines exotic experiences and excitement with professional destination management services and top quality hotels.

Mr. bin Sulayem noted that the DTCM has cooperated with the public and private sector to ensure a buoyant tourism industry in the emirate that registered a 31% growth in 2002 with 4.75 million hotel establishment guests.

Mr. bin Fahad welcomed the visiting delegates that also included Mr. Mohammed Khamis bin Hareb, DTCM Director Operations and Marketing and Mr. Mohammed Geziry, DTCM Consultant.

He updated them about the completion of the DWTC's new Dubai International Convention Centre and took them on a walk through of the site.

"The DICC offers an ideal setting for international conventions, congresses, corporate meetings, seminars, workshops and incentive travel events. The facility is also suitable for a variety of special presentations including theatrical productions, musical extravaganzas and other entertainment options," Mr. bin Fahad remarked.

The centre's multipurpose hall that measures 7,760 square metres has been recently named after the late HH Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum. The state-of-the-art facility is divisible by operable walls and its flexibility enables it to be used in various configurations for multifarious purposes. When set for the maximum capacity as an auditorium, it will accommodate 2,500 retractable seats in a tiered setting and an additional 2,000 seats on the 'flat'.

 "We look forward to working closely with the DTCM to bring regional and international meetings, conventions, trade shows, and events to Dubai and in turn benefit the various hotels, restaurants, transportation vendors and service-oriented companies in the emirate," Mr. bin Fahad concluded.