Dubai wins Award at Leisure 2003 in Moscow

The Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) with 63 co-participants returned home with 'Continuous Progress at the Leisure Exhibition' award at the recently concluded travel trade fair Otdykh-Leisure 2003 in Russia, Moscow.

DTCM Manager Overseas Promotions, Khalifa Buamaim said that the department is overwhelmed with the response and appreciation received at the event. "This prestigious awards is result of for our dedication and hard work, the team members had put in the Russian market. It also shows our utmost seriousness for the event as well as the destination," said Mr. Buamaim.

Speaking about the reason for occupying the largest stand in the event, Mr. Buamaim said: "This year, the total number of registered visitors increased by  17 per cent compared to the last year. About 661 serious trade visitors were present at the DTCM stand this year compared to 565 last year. In 2002, there were about 700 companies from 55 countries while this year, 839 companies participated from 59 countries. This clearly indicates the event is growing in stature and appreciation from various quarters".

The DTCM regards Russia and CIS as their premium market and through their representative office in Moscow participated in exhibitions, roadshows and workshops to reap positive and far reaching results. More than 12 million  people from the CIS travel abroad every year. According to a report issued by the World Tourism Organisation the increasing number of Russian clients travelling abroad is expected to place Russia in 10th position of the major tourism producing countries by 2020. According to latest surveys the number of Russians wishing to spend their holidays abroad has risen by 25 % in comparison to the year 2001.

Russian visitors contribute immensely to the hotel occupancy rate of Dubai hotel establishment. "The first quarter of the year 2003 recorded a sizeable  increase of 5.16 per cent compared to the corresponding last year," said Mr.Buamaim.