DUBAI - ANDHRA PRADESH TOURISM TIES DISCUSSED

Senior officials from the Government of Dubai's Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) met with E. Peddy Reddy, Minister of state for Tourism, Government of Andhra Pradesh during the recently concluded investment promotion drive undertaken by the department in India.

Both parties were in agreement for the need to step up co-operation to boost two-way traffic arrivals.

DTCM Manager Overseas Promotions, Ibrahim Ahli who represented the department at the event said, "We took full advantage of our time in Hyderabad to meet with the tourism minister and other senior officials from the public and private sector for some very productive meetings."

Mr. Ahli noted that earlier this year, the DTCM Director General, Mr. Khalid A. bin Sulayem and the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Mr. Chandrababu Naidu had signed a MOU covering exchange of information, marketing techniques, increased participation in exhibitions as well as programmes for tour operators and travel agents to promote bilateral flow of tourism.

Andhra Pradesh had earlier sought the advice and assistance of the DTCM in staging a shopping festival on the same lines as the Dubai Shopping Festival.

Mr. Reddy also attended a dinner hosted by Mr. bin Sulayem in his honor and took the opportunity to discuss tourism issues with members of the Dubai delegation.