DUBAI MAKES AN IMPRESSION ON THE M.I.C.E. MARKET AS LARGEST-EVER EIBTM DRAWS TO A CLOSE

 DUBAI CO-PARTICIPANTS IN REMARKABLY HIGH SPIRITS WITH EUROPEAN BUYERS SHOWING KEEN INTEREST

The 52-strong Dubai team of travel trade companies that exhibited under the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing’s (DTCM) umbrella at the European Incentive and Business Travel Meetings (EIBTM) exhibition were reported to be in high spirits as on stand business was contracted and substantial sales lead were generated as the event concluded in Geneva yesterday (May 31st).

“The European meeting, incentive, conference and exhibition (MICE) organisers have shown a keen interest in destination Dubai and from the feedback we have received from the co-participants, I am convinced that Dubai will fast emerge as the preferred destination for the MICE market,” said DTCM Director General, Khalid A. bin Sulayem from the Dubai stand in Geneva.

He noted that the department’s participation at the EIBTM exhibition provided the Dubai exhibitors with an ideal platform to conduct business, network with industry professionals, gather valuable market information and generate vital sales leads.

“Meetings and conference producers from Europe have welcomed the provision of a free Dubai visa on arrival and are convinced about Dubai Government’s commitment to promoting the tourism business,” remarked Mr. bin Sulayem.

Saif Sultan, Commercial Director of the Palm Island said, "We are highly satisfied by the response to the Palm Island development from the European travel trade. "This is our first international promotion since the launch at the Arabian Travel Market earlier this month and we are amazed at the number of inquiries from investors."

First time participant, Steven Jones, Director of Sales and Marketing, Dusit Dubai said, “The quality of visitors is very good and we have received bookings for the first quarter of next year including an incentive group of between 250 to 300 people for four days. We have made excellent contacts and find that the trade visitors are all very focused on Dubai.”

Caroline Massoud, Senior Sales Manager, Hilton said, “We have generated some productive sales leads for groups ranging from 30 rooms to 120 rooms perfect for our type of hotels.”

Masood Shah, Executive Assistant Manager (Incharge of Sales and Marketing) remarked, “We have met our objective of participating at the event and have eight tentative bookings for groups of 20 to 150. We also notice an increased awareness among the visitors for the destination.”

Samer El Tahawy, Sales and Marketing Executive, Oasis Adventures said, “We have received about 35 serious inquiries and we are confident that at least 50% of these will result in confirmed business. We find that even though EIBTM is only across three days, the quality of trade visitors is very high and focused.

Sree Kumar, Sales Manager (Group Incentives & Travel Trade) at the Crowne Plaza Dubai said, “We have been working hard the whole year round to developing the market and our participation was designed to create increased awareness of our property.”

Isabel Tapp, Director of Public Relations and Communications, Jumeira International remarked, “The response from the MICE professionals specially from the UK and Germany has been high across the board for all our five properties. We have attracted a lot of interest from prospective buyers for conferences, incentives and conventions. The EIBTM has once again proved itself as the best exhibition for the meetings and conference industry in Europe and we are happy to have made an impact on the European travel trade professionals.

The foremost incentive travel and conference exhibition of its kind in Europe, EIBTM attracted business travel buyers from all over Europe and received extensive coverage in the European media.