Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing taps Russian Market in Leisure 2003

The Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) with 53 co-participants is participating in the ninth edition of International Travel Trade Fair 'Otdykh-Leisure 2003' in Russia, Moscow (15th October - 19th October). The department is participating for the sixth consecutive year in the four-day exhibition, which is focusing on travel trade visitors.

DTCM Manager Overseas Promotions, Khalifa Buamaim called the exhibition an excellent platform to exhibit and highlight Dubai's amenities and services. "We regard Russia as an important market and have been participating in and organizing numerous events to cultivate our resources in this market," said Mr. Buamaim.

He stated Dubai's state-of-the art facilities and quality services' with an ethnic touch have always been highly regarded by Russian travel trade visitors. "To maximise visibility and attract trade visitors to the Dubai exhibit, DTCM's stand at the exhibition will incorporate traditional design concepts as well as modern facilities. We will endeavor to consolidate relationships and have carried out an intensive publicity campaign to ensure that the participating Dubai companies, receive a good flow of visitors," added Mr. Buamaim.

Mr. Buamaim recently chaired the pre-fair meeting of Otdykh-Leisure 2002 at the department's Head Office. He said that last year there were about 720 companies from 54 countries, participating in the exhibition. "The first two days are always dedicated to travel trade visitors, who made up above 83 per cent of the total 60,000 attendance during that period last year. This event will give us an opportunity to interact with travel trade visitors from Russia as well as from other parts of the world. We will get a chance to exchange our views as well as gather reactions and suggestions from the top players of this market. We will talk about our work and also about Dubai and provide attendees with full information, which help in making the emirate one of the most fascinating destinations on the world map," he detailed.

The number of Russian hotel establishment guests in Dubai has been on continuous increase ever year. "The first quarter of the year 2003 recorded a sizeable increase of 5.16 per cent compared to the corresponding period last year," said Mr. Buamaim.

Speaking about the representation of the co-participants in the event, Mr. Buamaim said: "Over the years, the co-participants with the department have seen this event growing and developing into one of the most prestigious exhibitions happening world-wide. Last year in this four-day event about 71,000 visitors called the event and out of which 61,770 were serious trade visitors. All these reasons are enough for the number of co-participants to increase to 53 this year from 37 last year".