MIDDLE EAST STOPOVERS DESTINATIONS


V


ast deserts, ancient cultures, glittering cities, centuries-


old architecture…there’s a magic to Arabia that seeps out from its rich, rolling landscapes, and it needn’t be reserved for long trips. As a connecting point for the Far East and beyond, its cities are perfectly located for quick, catch-a-glimpse stopovers. And they don’t only mean


boosting your commission with add-ons; they also mean selling the region to a market that might not normally consider it as a standalone trip, and saving your clients money in the process. “Stopover flights can often be


better value, and they open up more choice in terms of airlines from the UK,” says Sam Dowling, Kuoni product and purchasing


manager for the Middle East. Combine that with the other benefits – breaking up the journey, catching up on some sleep and adjusting to the time difference – and it makes perfect sense to try and sell to clients going long-haul. So where can you sell, and how?


◗ DUBAI Why: Dubai sells itself to those looking for no-holds-barred extravagance, and with Emirates flying from here to Asia, the Indian Ocean, Australasia and beyond, it’s little surprise operators report it as the most popular stopover in the region. Upsell: IMG Worlds of Adventure, Dubai Parks and Resorts, the Burj Khalifa and Aquaventure are just a few of the attractions


Stopover flights can often be better value, and they open up more choice in terms of airlines from the UK


you can push, while helicopter tours, dhow cruises and desert safaris throw adventure into the mix. Attraction World offers commissionable tickets to all of them, as well as a Best of Dubai city tour combining the highlights of downtown with a ‘dinner safari’ amid the sand dunes, from £89 per adult. Where to stay: Tricia Birmingham, product and commercial director


for Gold Medal, recommends the new Al Seef Hotel by Jumeirah, made up of 22 Arabian-design buildings set on Dubai Creek. “It’s a fantastic choice for stopovers as it offers great value in an upcoming area and is perfectly located for exploring the city,” she says.


◗ MUSCAT Why: If Only’s Iain Raeper says: “Muscat offers a different slant on the Middle Eastern stopover, offering a more authentic Arabic experience as it’s less commercialised than its traditional competitor set.” Huge domes and opulent Arabic architecture meet head-on with 16th-century Portuguese forts and atmospheric souks, while upscale shopping


29 November 2018travelweekly.co.uk59


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