200 strong Dubai travel trade delegation leaves for London to target greater share of European outbound

A 200-strong delegation of professionals representing the crème de la crème of the emirates travel trade industry heads for London Sunday to stage the biggest ever Dubai participation at the World Travel Market (11th to 14th November) under the umbrella of the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM).

 The Dubai delegation led by DTCM Director General, Khalid A. bin Sulayem will exhibit on a 324 square meter stand at this years event presenting a unified and professional image of Dubai.

“We have sustained a 29% growth in hotel establishment guests from around the world in the first half of this year as compared to 2001 and through our participation at WTM we plan to build on this growth,” remarked Mr. bin Sulayem.

A record total of 84 co-participants collectively representing a cross-section of the best of the emirate’s tourism sector are exhibiting on the department’s stand at WTM that opens in London on Monday (11th November).

“To ensure high visibility and stand out in order to make an impact the Dubai stand incorporates element of the lofty windtower architecture and the co-participants booths have been specially designed to reflect this overall theme,” said DTCM Director Operations and Marketing, Mohammed Khamis bin Hareb.

While most other travel exhibitions serve their local markets, WTM stands out by attracting leading travel industry professionals from Europe and around the world, in addition to the UK. This year's event will feature around 5,000 exhibitors from over 180 countries.

“Our earnest efforts will be to expand our market share from the British outbound segment as we have recorded a 21% surge in hotel establishment guests from this important market during the first half of this year,” remarked Mr. bin Hareb.

The DTCM has also conducted an intensive pre-event marketing campaign to ensure the participating Dubai companies receive a good flow of visitors during the four-day event.

Now in its 23rd year the four-day event in November is ranked as the second largest travel trade event in the world after ITB in Berlin. The DTCM is participating at the event for the 13th consecutive time.