Dubai targets greater share of French outbound market

Buoyed by a double digit growth in hotel establishment guests from the French market and a significant 3.51% increase in the number of French tour operators selling Dubai holiday packages in 2001, the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) is leading a delegation of 12 travel industry co-participants from the emirate to participate in the three-day Top Resa exhibition that opens in Deauville, France today, September 19th.

“Top Resa is the largest tourism show for French travel and tourism professionals that has been attracting top product and service providers in the tourism business from around the world, and our participation at this year’s event is designed to strengthen our existing contacts in the French travel market and further increase our share from the French outbound sector,” said DTCM Director General, Khalid A. bin Sulayem.

He observed that the significance of the French traveler could be ascertained from the detail that they are among the highest spending travelers in Europe along with German and the British travelers.

Mr. bin Sulayem remarked, “France is a growing market for Dubai with solid growth in arrivals last year - a trend that is expected to continue into 2003 and beyond and the Dubai team will be participating for the 13th consecutive time at Top Resa this year.” 

DTCM Executive Overseas Promotions, Khalifa Ali Buamaim, will represent the department at the event. The Dubai team at the event comprises Burj Al Arab, The Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Le Royal Meriden Beach Resort & Spa, Hilton Dubai Jumeirah, Royal Mirage, Jebel Ali Hotel & Golf Resort, Taj Palace Hotel Dubai, Net Group of Companies, Alpha Tours, Planet Travel Tours & Cargo, Passage To Arabia, Golden Ring Tourism, Top Résa 2001 brought together 20,994 French and international professionals at Deauville. This large number is proof of a general mobilization even in a climate disturbed by recent events.