Travel Agents from Kuoni UK praise Dubai during eight day annual event

The officials from the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) attended Saturday, the 12th annual workshop and seminar of Kuoni Travel Group from the UK, where promotion of Dubai was the focus for deliberations and discussion. The eight-day visit (9th September to 16th September 2003) also features a one-day workshop, which was held at Mina Al Salam hotel, Dubai. It was attended by 80 travel agents from Kuoni, all conceding a premier destination place to the emirate.

DTCM Manager Missions, Hamad bin Mejren said that Kuoni Group is one of Europe's leading tourist travel corporations and is active in leisure travel segment. "We consider the UK as our target market and DTCM's association with Kuoni will send strong positive signals to the decision makers in Europe that Dubai is serious in promoting the emirate as a world class destination," said Mr. bin Mejren.

He said that there has been a considerable increase in the number of hotel establishment guests from the UK. "In 2001, we received 348,477 hotel establishment guests from UK, which in 2002 increased by 28.27 per cent as their number increased to 447,006," said Mr. bin Mejren.

In 1998, there were 64 UK tour operators promoting Dubai in their itinerary and in 2003 we have 110 tour operators registering an increase of 71.87 per cent. There are over 90 flights connecting Dubai with the UK.

He said, the seminar was a valuable experience and served as an appropriate platform to promote Dubai the UK travel agents. "The representatives of Kuoni, who were on their maiden visit to Dubai were highly impressed with the amenities and quality services, Dubai offers," said Mr. bin Mejren.

Stephen Johns, Group Coordinator of Kuoni had only praise for Dubai: "The emirate is one of the most fascinating destinations, the group have visited so far. It surpasses the expectation of most discerning visitors both from tourism as well as business point of view". 

The event is being conducted in co-ordination with Emirates Airlines, Arabian Adventures and Mina Al Salam hotel. The speakers from each organization introduced themselves and spoke about Dubai in general. A workshop was also conducted, which was attended representatives of different Dubai hotels and also by Mr. bin Mejren and DTCM Officer Missions, Ali Abdulwahab.