FEATURE GULF STATES
The Sharjah Light Festival was held
for the first time in February this year, the first event of its kind in the Middle East. It attracted more than 90,000 residents and foreign visitors to the emirate during nine nights and is likely to become a regular event. The Sharjah Commerce and
Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) is committed to raising the profile of Sharjah as a holiday destination and is consolidating its position by attending high-profile travel and trade events. Its half-yearly statistics suggest that developing its tourist attractions, heritage image, cultural activities and special events is having an effect. Special promotions instigated by the emirate’s hotels resulted in 75 per cent occupancy level between January-June with visitor numbers from Europe generating the largest increase at 40 per cent (305,226). Sharjah, which has developed from a
small trading town relying on fishing and pearl diving, is the third largest emirate but the only one to have land on both the Arabian Gulf Coast and the Gulf of Oman. It is positioning itself as the ‘emerging emirate’ with strong credentials as a regional cultural centre. UNESCO named Sharjah one of the cultural capitals of the Arab world.
Tourism Talk LAWRENCE FRANKLIN
strategy and policy director, ADTA: “Abu Dhabi’s tourism
proposition has expanded significantly with new attractions like Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, the world’s largest indoor theme park. The UAE capital now has three championship golf courses within a 25-mile radius.
“A raft of luxury properties is coming
online and this New Year, Abu Dhabi will also host the Volvo Ocean Race fleet at a dedicated destination village built on our stunning Corniche to host a fortnight of activities, including headline concerts.”
ALISON CRYER director UK & Ireland, Oman Ministry of Tourism UK Representative Office:
“The amount of hotel development means rates are now more competitive”
“Muscat is a thriving city that effortlessly blends old with new, offering visitors an authentic Arabian experience with luxury world-class accommodation. “UK visitor figures remain steady at 100,000 a year, a figure set to rise significantly as more hotels open. "New projects include a world-class 18-hole golf course designed by Greg Norman, opening in December, and the Muscat Royal Opera House which opened in October. The Sultanate's landscape is truly stunning and unique with majestic fjords in the peninsula of Mussandam and lush valleys in the Southern region of Dhofar (Khasab and Salalah are good options for twin centres with Muscat).”
From the Front Line ALEX LOIZOU
product manager, The Private Travel Company: “Beach breaks in Dubai
and more cultural visits in Abu Dhabi have performed particularly well. Business to Oman also continues to increase as the destination provides high quality hotel product, as well as
sightseeing. Oman offers the feeling of exclusivity, as mass tourism hasn't yet arrived. The dramatic, mountainous interior includes cultural sites such as Nizwa Fort, traditional boat building in Sur, and Wabi Nakher which lies in the depths of Oman's deepest canyon. “We have added The View to our Contrasts of Oman three-day tour.”
JULIANNE HOWARTH senior product manager Middle East, The Eden Luxury Travel Group
“We’re selling all of the O&O products such as One & Only The Palace at Royal Mirage, as well as The Residence & Spa and Arabian Court. “Sales at One & Only The Palm are looking very good since the opening on 10.10.10. We tend to sell these hotels as our clients want to be at the beach. “We have three brands with the
Seasons, Prive and Eden Collection brands and this enables us to reach out to a wider range of clientele in the market place. We also sell Jumeirah Dar al Masyef, where some of our clients return year after year. “Plus, we are selling the downtown
area of Dubai, with the fountains and shopping being a big attraction, and are featuring The Address Downtown Dubai and The Armani. We will be featuring The Address Montgomerie Dubai, (new for us for 2012), which is a smaller 21-room resort and in a much more tranquil area of the city with The Troon Golf-managed championship course great for those who want to fit in a round of golf.”
NIKKI HAIN product manager Middle East, China and Indian Ocean, Premier Holidays:
“Abu Dhabi enjoys year-round sunshine, pristine beaches and spectacular sand dunes, which makes the emirate the perfect holiday destination. It also has the world’s largest indoor theme park, Ferrari World. Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi, is our best seller. The brand is well-known so the resort attracts repeat customers. It is also great value for money. “Al Ain City now has UNESCO World Heritage status, and boasts a range of attractions including Al Ain Wildlife Park and Resort and Al Jahil Fort. “We are hoping the new Etihad flight
to the Seychelles launching in November will inspire more bookings that incorporate a stopover in Abu Dhabi.”
SALLY WATSON senior consultant Tropical Sky East Grinstead
“The last time I was in Dubai I stayed in Fujairah. There was a lot of building going on and it didn’t really appeal. But I went back in June and stayed four days, at the One & Only Royal Mirage and the Grosvenor, and I absolutely loved it. “It’s amazing what you can do there – I went skiing – which was weird in 40C! We visited Atlantis - out of this world! “I also went to a mosque and I spoke
Left: Shangri-La Oman; Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, in Dubai with Abu Dhabi's Al Jahili Fort, below
www.sellinglonghaul.com • November 2011 33
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