Marriott GSA shop opens at the Dubai Airline Centre

Marriott International has become the first hotel group to open a hotel shop in the new Dubai Airline Centre on Sheikh Zayed Road. Marriott, one of the world's leading hotel chains, opened its dedicated GSA (general sales agent) shop in the centre on September 1st.

The hotel shop will represent Marriott's 12 leading hotel brands, and will cater to both individual and corporate customers. More than 100 airlines, holiday and travel services suppliers from around the world are represented at the Dubai Airline Centre.

The shop was opened by Mr. Rashid Al Noori, Senior General Manager, Dnata Agencies and Mr. Samir Daqqaq, Vice President of Marriott Global Sales, Middle East, Africa and South Asia.

In addition to receiving brochures and getting further information on Marriott's more than 2,600 hotels, customers will also be able to make instant reservations.

"The airline centre is the region's largest and most sophisticated 'one-stop travel shop' and attracts a significant number of clients," said Mr. Daqqaq. "We have established a presence there to tap into this business and to proactively reach out to our customers."

"The location of the airline centre is also very strategic, as Sheikh Zayed Road is becoming the epicentre of Dubai's exponential growth. This means that there will be a large number of potential and current customers in the area, who will find it convenient to drop into our GSA shop for information and to book their hotel stays."

"Because of our extensive product offering in 66 countries, we can offer guests anything from a luxury stay in a JW Marriott in Bangkok, Mumbai or Hong Kong to a short business trip in the competitively priced Courtyard by Marriott hotels, a long business stay in Marriott Executive Apartments, Marriott's home from home, or a leisure break in one of our many resorts worldwide."

He added that the move was a key element of the growing strategic partnership between Marriott International and Dnata Agencies, the region's leading travel organisation.

Speaking about Marriott's move to the Airline Centre, Mr. Rashid Al Noori said, "At Dnata, we are always looking at new ways of offering travel solutions. The Dubai Airline Centre is unique in the region. The centre contains 33 dedicated airline counters, as well as a number of Dnata counters, where customers can book with 100 airlines. This is a facility unparalleled in the region."

"In addition to airlines, the Dubai Airline Centre also contains dedicated service desks manned by professionals for the New Zealand and the British Tourism Authorities, as well as an extensive government travel section. Our aim is to offer retail and corporate customers complete travel solutions. We are delighted that Marriott has now established a presence at the centre. With its impressive array of products worldwide, it will add real value to the business and leisure travellers visiting us. The hotel shop will also complement and support the other forms of travel that can be booked at the centre."

"Marriott has a very solid reputation in the GCC, and this is another reason that we have chosen to invite them to be the sole hotel group represented in the centre. We have a strong relationship that we are continuing to develop, to help grow the travel industry in the Middle East."

The Marriott GSA shop is located near the Government Travel Section on the Mezzanine floor of Dubai Airline Centre, Sheikh Zayed Road. Guests can book any of Marriott's 12 brands as below by calling (04) 316 60 96: Marriott, JW Marriott, Marriott Executive Apartments, Renaissance, Residence Inn, Courtyard, TownePlace Suites, Fairfield Inn, SpringHill Suites and Ramada International, Marriott Vacation Club and Marriott Conference Centers.