24 talking shop
Agents get quizzical with Dubai OUT & ABOUT
THERE is more to Dubai than you think! That was the conclusion for many agents attending our Dubai quiz night which was packed with ideas on how and what to sell in the emirate. Hosted by Selling Travel, with
partners Vida Hotels, Qantas, Gold Medal Travel and Dubai Tourism, the evening included the chance for henna hand painting and photo-booth fun before informative presentations and a quiz.
ROUND ONE GENERAL KNOWLEDGE
Most people know Dubai ticks all the right boxes for shopping breaks, but did you know that at the last count, the emirate had around 70 shopping malls, all offering tax-free prices, plus traditional souks where haggling over cost is all part of the holiday experience. Many are more than just a shopping centre.
The Dubai Mall, in Downtown, for example is a vast entertainment and leisure centre with numerous tourist attractions as well as 1200 shops and 150 very varied eateries. Set on the Arabian Gulf and benefi ting from year-round sunshine, Dubai has both public and resort beaches - all clean, safe and family- friendly. Watersports are widely available but it was soon clear from the presentations that there is more to the emirate than sun, sea and sand. Among Dubai's wildlife stars, for example, is the turtle, an endangered species whose welfare is taken care of by the Jumeirah Group's Dubai-based Turtle Rehabilitation Project. Holidaymakers can visit the centre to learn all about its work.
ROUND TWO CULTURE
Dubai has a long tradition as a bustling trading port with a proud heritage and below the towering skyline, the
city has a rich history for culture loving visitors can explore. The Al Fahidi district is one of the city's oldest heritage areas. It is home to the The Al Fahidi Fort and a rabbit warren of narrow streets twisting between stately houses and cobbled courtyards. Dubai Creek, where the
foundations of the city were laid, is now bidding to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is where the original wooden Arab trading dhows unloaded their cargoes. Today, visitors can take an Abra, or water taxi, from here.
The famous gold souk of the Deira
region is a must too. Dubai has also become a top spot
for world-class chefs and many have opened signature restaurants at venues across the city. Big names like Marco Pierre White, Jamie Oliver and Gary Rhodes are among those with offerings in the emirate. Add in the great nightclubs, and evenings can be full of fun with celebrated DJs forcing the pace on the dancefl oor and playing all types of music, from house and trance, to R&B, soul and hip-hop.
Dubai also regularly hosts
top sporting events including championship golf, tennis and horseracing.
ROUND THREE FAMILY ATTRACTIONS Families have become an increasingly important market for Dubai and it is easy to see why when you wise up to the range of family- friendly attractions available. Aquaventure is the emirate's largest waterpark while Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, Sega Republic and KidZania (a city made for and run by children) are just a few of the honeypot attractions. Ski Dubai and The Dubai Fountain, along with the great tradition of Friday Brunches, all add to the mix for families.
ROUND FOUR GOLD MEDAL TRAVEL Now owned by dnata, Gold Medal Travel is in a stronger position than ever before to promote Dubai. The operator has been featuring the emirate for over 40 years, initially when there were only three hotels in the city, and continues to develop new and exciting product
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