introduction: dubai dubai 2012
Samir Hamadeh, general manager, Alpha Tours Dubai
"The significant growth of major destinations in general, and Dubai in particular, will mainly depend on short-haul travellers from neighbouring countries, and luckily enough, our neighbouring countries embrace some of the highest spending individuals who are regular travellers with corporate backgrounds. In the long term we have to focus our efforts on domestic, medium- and small-sized meetings business that will complement the leisure portion generated from these specific markets. Alpha Tours will continue to mix and combine both, with a solid investment and promotional plan to grow this segment."
"One reason for the increase in business from that sector is that we actively targeted that segment because it has been less affected by the economic crisis." Exhibitions have also been the life-blood
of Dubai's business tourism sector ever since the world wondered at the sense of introducing an exhibition centre in what was the middle of the desert (now the heart of Dubai) back in the early 1980s, next to The Dubai World Trade Centre (built in 1978). An expanded infrastructure has seen this sector grow further, and again 2011 will have been another record year in terms of the number of events hosted and visitors welcomed to The Dubai World Trade Centre facilities.
Now referred to as Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC), the facilities at The Dubai World Trade Centre have never been anything but a work in progress, but this has never been more true than now. Twenty new towers are planned for the site as part of the Dubai World Trade Centre District. DICEC already boasts eight exhibition halls, multiple meeting rooms and two hotels. See page 76 for further information.
The Government of Dubai's tourism arm, the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) has also been making strides in terms of Dubai's positioning and introducing campaigns to both maintain momentum and cater to changing demands in changing times. Peter Payet of Arabian Adventures, the DMC arm of Emirates Group, said: "It is testament to the tireless work and dynamic vision of the DTCM, that Dubai continues to be the destination of choice
for both leisure and business travellers. The DTCM has implemented a number of key initiatives which have resulted in a sustained increase in the number of visitors." Dubai's burgeoning reputation as a favoured destination among international tourists, delegates and participants is also being aided by the ongoing development of the emirate's infrastructure.
In addition to the dozens of new hotels being developed across the emirate, Dubai's transport infrastructure which already ranks among the best in the Middle East continues its march forward, with the on- going expansion of the city's Metro rail service and development of the new Al Maktoum International Airport making
headlines across the region. Add to this the multi-billion dollar expansion of the existing Dubai International Airport, the launch of new maritime public transportation services including the first ferry service linking Dubai Marina and Jumeirah to the Creek, as well as the never-ending construction of new roads, bridges and flyovers, and it's clear the emirate remains steadfastly focused on its ambition to be recognised as the Middle East's first global city'.
The combination of world-class infra- structure, unique tourism developments and a stable, prosperous economy is setting Dubai on track to become one of the world's leading tourism destinations and preferred meeting venue.
Dubai International Airport expansion
The redevelopment of Dubai International Airport ranks as the largest airport expansion programme in the world, with the additional facilities set to be added covering an area twice the size of London Heathrow Terminal 5. "This is another landmark moment in Dubai's proud aviation history and sets us firmly on course to become the world's busiest airport for international passenger traffic by 2015," said Paul Griffiths, the chief executive of Dubai Airports. "Our plan effectively responds to the need to accommodate rapid traffic growth with timely, efficient, and high-quality infrastructure. And it optimises cash flow to fund future development."
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