Payet stresses that these visitors stayed in
Dubai for longer – possibly as a result of can- celling visits to elsewhere in the region – with room nights for the period up 24 percent to 8.4 million (from 6.25 million in Q1, 2010). “What we haven’t achieved in passen-
ger numbers we have made up for in room nights,” he says.
ROOM AT THE INN A greater number and variety of hotels is also driving the increase in length of stay, not to mention business for Arabian Adven- tures and CSI. “With an enhanced portfolio of hotels across all star ratings, it is help- ing us to position Dubai as an even more attractive conference and exhibition hub,” says Payet. “In addition, better flexibility on the terms
and conditions hotels are offering groups, combined with greater value for money, means we can secure more medium and long-term business.” Payet also notes that the availability of
more unique venues such as
At.mosphere at Burj Khalifa, as well as a great range of villa- type luxury accommodation are attracting more business from markets such as Russia that demand this type of product. In addition, conferences are more inclined
to choose Dubai now it offers “very high qual- ity” three- and four-star accommodation for delegates. What is now required to further complement the hotel offering, and help grow business for Arabian Adventures, is further investment in cruise infrastructure and theme parks, according to Payet.
TARGET MARKETS ‘IN GOOD HEALTH’ For CSI, the growth strategy going forward is quite simple: “Europe, the US and South America are currently our priority markets as 90 percent of international associations are headquartered on the old and new conti- nent,” says Payet. “Having said that, India, China and West
Africa are key source markets for the future, particularly as we move into exhibitions. “These markets have different dynamics and
processes when it comes to organising confer- ences and exhibitions and in order to tap into them, CSI has had to invest in HR in order to meet the expectations of these countries.”
Industry-wise, healthcare, IT, telecoms, tour-
ism and finance are highest on CSI’s agenda. Payet says CSI has invested a tremendous
DUBAI NEEDS A NEW ID
Dubai needs to shape a new identity and market this to the world, Payet says.
He says that in the past, Dubai has prided itself on promoting its iconic hotels and landmarks but as the destination has matured, it now has much more to offer than the ‘biggest’ and the ‘best’ and this should be communicated overseas.
“The icons are fine, but what is the message we want to portray to the world?” said Payet. “I think the emirate has tremendous potential to shape its identity.” Payet said that one of the key messages Dubai should herald was that it’s a safe place to visit.
The fact that Dubai has transformed itself into a much more mature and three-dimensional destination, with new sought-after tourist, business and meeting locations such as Downtown Dubai now thrown into the mix, should also be communicated, he added.
amount of its business development time can- vassing associations and corporate companies that are active in the healthcare sector. “One of the reasons why we have seen
the healthcare sector growing exponen- tially for the past 18 months is that our fast growing region (MENA) is in great need of education and training in various medi- cal disciplines,” he says. Payet predicts the growth of the medical sector, which has an average lead booking time of between six months and two years, will “sustain its pace for the next decade”. “It is our role as the UAE’s leading profes-
sional congress organiser, in conjunction with the Dubai Convention Bureau and Dubai World Trade Centre, to focus greatly on this industry sector and ensure that we can meet their expectations,” he says. Finance and tourism are sectors that are
“bouncing back” he says and will receive more attention from CSI in the near future, as will the energy and renewable energy sectors.
AMBITIONS As Dubai starts to attract more meetings busi- ness and PCOs such as CSI lead the way in bringing big conventions to town, the emirate is now well-regarded in corporate and associa- tions circles – but there is a lot more work to be done, says Payet. “From experience, we often compete with
cities such as Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Cape Town and Hong Kong and having such com- petition clearly demonstrates how Dubai is now on the World Congress Map,” he says. “But in order for Dubai to maintain its position and attract more conferences, the city and its industry stakeholders must out- line a destination business strategy with the Dubai Convention Bureau (DCB) as the driver of this initiative.” “We have the means – the best congress
infrastructure, excellent supplier portfolio, outstanding accessibility, safety, etc. Now we need the financial and strategic support from the government (the DTCM and DCB) to climb up the ladder,” he stresses. “We should be working together as an industry to attract big conferences.”
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