Dubai Properties Group And Royal Caribbean Internationalreg; Continue Alliance To Enhance Tourism For UAE Visitors

Visitors to Dubai, sailing with Royal Caribbean International, will be able to visit The Walk at Jumeirah Beach Residence and key attractions at DUBAILAND® under an agreement between Dubai Properties Group (DPG) and the world’s largest cruise line.

It is the second season that DPG and Royal Caribbean International are working together to make many well-known tourist destinations in Dubai available in Royal Caribbean’s 7 and 12 night cruise itineraries through the gulf and India.

The Walk at Jumeirah Beach Residence is a lifestyle, shopping and leisure destination known for its stunning beach-side setting. The diversity of food, beverage, entertainment and cultural offerings has made The Walk at JBR a must-see for tourists.

Other key destinations in DUBAILAND® will also be promoted in Royal Caribbean’s pre and post cruise tour land packages, as well as on-shore excursion programmes. These attractions include Dubai Autodrome in MotorCity, Dubai Outlet Mall in Outlet City, The Global Village, and Dubai Sports City which features the Els Club, the Butch Harmon School of Golf and the Cricket Stadium. These projects currently receive millions of visitors annually, and add further variety to Dubai’s tourism offering by providing visitors with exciting entertainment options and value for money.

Starting January 24 through April 9, Royal Caribbean International’s Brilliance of the Seas will offer guests seven-night sailings around the Arabian Gulf, as well as a new 12-nights Gulf and India itineraries in line with its signature style of cruising for active holidaymakers. The seven-night cruise starts and ends in Dubai every Monday, with calls at Fujairah and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, and Oman’s capital Muscat.

The two 12-night sailings also start and conclude in Dubai. Ports of call include Muscat and the coast of western India, where the cruise will stop at Cochin, Goa and Mumbai, before returning to Dubai.

“We are delighted to resume the extremely successful marketing alliance between these two strong brands which has allowed thousands of visitors to experience our popular DPG designations last season,” said Khalid Al Malik, CEO, Dubai Properties Group.

“Our partnership increased visitors to the region and allowed our investors and retailers to tap into a very lucrative new market segment of cruise tourists to boost their revenues. We are confident this partnership will continue to grow in strength and contribute to the growth of regional and international tourism.”

Rama Rebbapragada, Regional Vice President of Royal Caribbean International, said: “We hope to replicate the success of our full capacity 2010 sailings, and are thrilled that our new 12-night itinerary has received a huge amount of interest from key global source markets including the UK, North America and Germany.”

More than 34,000 guests from 79 countries have sailed on Brilliance of the Seas since her maiden call in Dubai in January 2010 – marking Royal Caribbean International’s official entry into the Middle East market.

Brilliance of the Seas has an open Centrum with 10-deck high windows and ocean facing glass elevators, offering spectacular views of the passing shoreline and sea. The whole family can scale the cruise line’s iconic rock wall, delight in riding the Adventure Beach waterslide, or challenge each other on one of the self-leveling pool tables in the Bombay Billiards Club.
 

South African Tourism unveils I Luv South Africa holiday brochure and www.southafricaholidays.com

South African Tourism, the organization responsible for the marketing and promotion of South Africa, has unveiled a new holiday brochure entitled “I Luv South Africa” and a website www.southafricaholidays.com for the Travel Trade and holidaymakers in Middle East. The brochure and website launch are part of a trade road show in Dubai by South African Tourism in association with Sun International, Etihad Airways and Tourism Point.

The Middle Eastern Trade Show event, held at Dubai’s Business Village Conference hall, featured a one-day trade workshop. The aim of the workshop was to bring together trade partners in the UAE together with South African Provincial Tourism authorities to further strengthen and identify opportunities to sell destination South Africa to Middle East travellers.

Commenting on the brochure and the website launch Mr. Phumi Dhlomo, Regional Director for Africa & Middle East at South African Tourism, indicated that there is clear evidence that South Africa is gaining popularity as a tourist destination within the Middle Eastern Travel Trade and holidaymakers. “We have witnessed an upward climb of visitors from Middle East to South Africa in the recent past. The number of visitors from the Middle East especially from the Arab Traveler segments has been increasing,”

“We have been conducting several marketing initiatives in this region. The trade road show, the launch of I Luv South Africa holidays brochure coupled with www.southafricaholidays.com are all part of our continuous efforts in facilitating the increase in tourist arrivals to South Africa from the Middle East,” adds Dhlomo

The website will also allow travellers and trade partners to view products from the brochure and research their holidays as they will be able to view regularly updated special holiday offers. “Additionally, consumers will be able to email for a quote or to book or download the new 2011 brochure online,” says Sujith Subramanian, General Manager Tourism Point LLC – the Africa specialized destination management company in Dubai, who owns and manages the website and the holiday brochure.

“Later this year, the site will be enhanced to allow customers to purchase their holidays directly from the site”, continued Subramanian.

The 102 page holiday brochure contains a wide variety of holiday options for travellers looking for great value and an unforgettable experience. The brochure will be published in English and Arabic languages and will feature a range of short and long holiday destinations across South Africa.. The brochure will feature packages ranging from mini getaways and adventure breaks, to fun-filled family vacations, safaris and golfing packages.

Whether travellers from Middle East want to spend a fun-filled family holiday with exciting activities for kids, a romantic honeymoon at a luxury resort or explore one of the many vibrant cities – the "I Luv South Africa" holiday brochure and www.southafricaholidays.com will assist both the Travel Trade and holiday makers in creating that special holiday in South Africa.

In addition to the trade workshop, there was a Media Launch and networking evening hosted in conjunction with Round Robin Session/Product Presentations. In attendance at the networking evening was key decision makers from the UAE Trade organizations.

To also mark the launch of the brochure and the website a fashion show was held. It consisted of 18 contestants selected from over 200 applicants from 6000 travel professionals in UAE. The former Miss South Africa 2010, Nicole Flint, was also there to lend her support for the fashion show and South African Tourism’s launch of the brochure and the website. As part of the fashion show the contestants competed for three coveted titles, including “the iconic face of South Africa”.

“Our partnership with trade and media in the region is key to our success. By showing them what is on offer from a business and leisure perspective, and giving them the opportunity to explore and experience the offerings in the country, they are better equipped to sell the packages and encourage people to visit South Africa ,” concludes Dhlomo.

Designed to be a comprehensive holiday and destination guide, I Luv South Africa holidays brochure includes top 10 reasons to visit South Africa; top 10 must visit attractions, various holiday options and detailed itineraries. The itineraries within the brochure ensure a range of three, four and five star hotels at competitive prices to help select the perfect holiday.

High resolution pictures of the launch can be downloaded from http://www.southafricaholidays.com/press/Brochure_Launch.zip

About South African Tourism
South African Tourism is the national tourism agency responsible for the marketing of South Africa as a preferred tourist destination. It is headed up by Chief Executive Officer, Ms Thandiwe January-McLean, Chief Operating Officer Mr Timothy Scholtz and Chief Marketing Officer, Ms Roshene Singh.

About Tourism Point LLC
Tourism Point LLC is an outbound and inbound destination management company based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The company specializes in holidays to and from Africa, especially South Africa. Tourism Point owns and manage www.southafricaholidays.com. Tourism Point is also the marketing agency for Sun International in Middle East.

For more information, contact:

Ms. Anusree, Tourism Point LLC,
Tel: +971 4 4329383
Fax: +971 4 4329382
 

For more information:

Email: anusree@southafricaholidays.com
Website: http://www.southafricaholidays.com

Sun International appoints Dubai based Tourism Point LLC as its Marketing Partner in Middle East

Africa’s most significant tourism and leisure group, Sun International, has appointed Dubai based Tourism Point LLC to manage its marketing and public relations communications in the Middle East region.

Through a strategic relationship with Tourism Point, Sun International has appointed a Marketing Manager to look after its business interests in the Middle East who will be responsible for executing focused and targeted marketing strategies that will comprehensively promote the Sun International brand and properties to all segments and regions.

Mr. Ian Anderson, Sun International’s Marketing Director said: "Sun International is delighted to have a full time representation for the Middle East market based in Dubai, which underlines our commitment to the region. We have identified the Middle East as an emerging market due to its exceptionally strong potential evidenced by the increase of visitors to our properties. So far, majority of the visitors from Middle East to Sun International group’s hotels and resorts comprise of FITs, MICE and family travelers. This business is secured through tactical marketing campaigns, trade partners and through the airlines operating from the region.

"Our focus is to increase MICE, FIT and Family Leisure travel from the Middle East and we are glad to have secured the talents and experience of Tourism Point who will be instrumental in driving business to our properties," added Ian Anderson

Our strategy in this region is to actively work with the region’s trade partners, media and airlines operating to South and Southern Africa to continuously fuel the growth momentum of the Middle-East markets.”

Currently Middle East accounts for around 5% per cent of the group’s annual international revenue with most of the visitors arriving from Saudi Arabia and Iran.

The most renowned resort is Sun City with its 1301 rooms and conference facilities for up to 1200 people. Also popular with the Middle East market is the Table Bay Hotel set in the heart of the Victoria and Albert Waterfront in Cape Town which has meeting facilities to cater to 250 people.

About Sun International
Sun International is a resort hotel chain from South Africa. Sun International brand operations include resorts, luxury hotel products, and casinos, across 21 destinations in 8 countries, including the Sun City benchmark. The Sun International brand is, at present, endorsed and personified by South Africa’s Oscar winning actress Charlize Theron. The brand prides itself with its offering of absolute luxury, thrilling gaming and destinations like no other.

About Tourism Point LLC
Tourism Point LLC is an inbound and outbound destination management company based in Dubai with strategic partners in rest of the GCC Countries. Tourism Point is the Middle East representative for Sun International Hotels and resorts. Tourism Point owns and manages www.southafricaholidays.com and actively involved in promoting destinations and properties in Middle East.

 

 

For more information, contact:

Ms. Gurdip Dobson
Marketing Manager UAE & Middle East
Sun International
Tel: +971 4 450 3953
Fax: +971 4 432 9382
Email: gurdib.dobson@suninternational.ae
Website: http://www.suninternational.ae

 

DTCM Extends Support To Emirates Challenge Cup In Line With Strategy To Promote Sports Tourism In Dubai

The Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) recently extended its support to the Emirates Challenge Cup exhibition match played between Al Ahli and AC Milan in Dubai. More than 7,800 football fans attended the closely contested match which was eventually won by AC Milan, and ended their week-long winter training camp in Dubai.

Part of DTCM’s long-term growth strategy is to promote sports tourism within the Emirate, and attracting sport-related events, congresses, tournaments and exhibitions is key to this sport tourism strategy. Dubai has historically focused on sports as an integral part of a global marketing strategy, which has recently been expanded at DTCM to further support the tourism sector.

Hamad M. Bin Mejren, DTCM’s Executive Director of Business Tourism, who leads the sports tourism strategy committee within the DTCM, said, “Sporting events of all types have a direct impact on our economy during the event and also contribute to promoting Dubai in key source markets globally. The coverage of the just-concluded Emirates Challenge Cup on TV Italia is a prime example of this source market promotion.”

Dubai Tourism Showcases eServices At GITEX 2010

Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) showcased its range of eServices, especially its One Stop Information Center (OSIC), during its participation at GITEX Technology Week at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. DTCM is participating in GITEX as part of the Dubai eGovernment stand, with the aim to highlight various electronic services it offers to tourists, residents and citizens of Dubai.

The eServices that DTCM offers include e-Brochures, online training management solutions, online travel booking, visitor survey, interactive map of Dubai, suggestion scheme, E-complaints, among others.

DTCM constantly updates the tourist and business-related information on its website to cater to the requirements of the large number of tourists and investors visiting Dubai from all over the world. Earlier this year, DTCM launched a contest where visitors to its interactive tourism portal definitelydubai.com had a chance to win attractive prizes such as, free stay in a five-star hotel in Dubai; dhow cruise on Dubai creek; desert safari; tour of Dubai; or a lunch/dinner in a high-end restaurant. The definitelydubai portal has been designed to cater to three distinctly different audiences: tourists, business travelers and residents, in line with DTCM’s vision to become a one-stop-information-centre for visitors and residents alike.

Tourism is one of the vital sectors that is driving Dubai’s economy and DTCM plays a major role in attracting tourists and investors from around the world. The department is supported by its 18 overseas representation offices and the various marketing and promotional campaigns it undertakes. DTCM also participates actively in various seminars, conferences and exhibitions worldwide to promote Dubai’s tourism appeal.
 

DTCMs Dubai Convention Bureau Highlights Dubais Growing Tourism Potential At UK Event

The Dubai Convention Bureau (DCB), a division of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), showcased Dubai’s vast tourism offerings to various event organisers and tourism industry representatives during a sales mission that DCB conducted in the United Kingdom recently. The Dubai delegation at the mission included Dubai World Trade Centre, Atlantis the Palm, Jumeirah Hotels, Congress Solutions International and the Rotana Hotel Group.

Abdullah Yousef Abdullah, Senior Executive-Congress Development, who represented DCB at the event, said, “Missions of this kind are important to showcase Dubai as an international tourism destination that offers unique options for congress organisers.” The event which attracted a large number of event organisers who have either held events in Dubai or are strongly considering the destination for the future also featured informative presentations about Dubai for travel agencies and other intermediaries in the UK. The program also included a reception and dinner with Arabic hospitality, including a traditional tent and henna artists.

The UK is a leading source market for congresses and events held throughout the world and a leading market for tourism in Dubai. With 14 daily flights and having the largest source market for Dubai hotels, the continuous demand from the UK is clearly proven. Following the success of this year’s sales mission, similar events are being planned for the future.
 

Dubai Tourism Meets Industry Representatives To Discuss Marketing Plans And New Projects For 2011

Khalid A. Bin Sulayem, Director General of Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), headed the recently concluded periodic meeting with tourism group held at the DTCM headquarters. The meeting aimed to discuss the new projects in Dubai and the marketing plans being implemented this year and in 2011. The meeting also discussed the campaign to market Dubai as a leading destination for business and sport tourism.

DTCM invited to the meeting the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), which was represented by Eisa Al Dossary, committee of the Board & Chief Executive Officer Public Transportation Agency, who presented the tourism-related services and facilities provided by the RTA.

Al Dossary also spoke about the Dubai Metro and other transportation services that can be used by tourists within Dubai and to neighbouring Emirates. He also talked about the rest of RTA’s fleet that includes land and water transport as well as the metro, and the special services provided during important exhibitions and events in Dubai.

Bin Sulayem thanked the representatives of the tourism sector for their continuous cooperation with the Department, which has led to a 9 per cent increase in the number of hotel guests in the Emirate during the first half of the year. He also thanked the RTA and its Public Transport Agency for their efforts to support the tourism sector in the Emirate.
 

Dubai Department Of Tourism And Commerce Marketing Organises Workshops In Rome Milan

The Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) recently organised two workshops in the Italian cities of Rome and Milan, to promote Dubai’s array of tourism attractions and highlight the various services and activities of DTCM. Over 200 people representing major tourism companies in the two host cities and members of the media attended the workshops. This is the second consecutive year that DTCM is organising similar workshops in Italy.

The delegation from Dubai that was part of the workshops included 13 participants from hotels, tourism companies and also Emirates airlines.

DTCM was represented by Talal Khalifah Al Suwaidi, Head of Region India, Middle East & Southern/Eastern Africa, Overseas Promotions & Inward Missions.

The road shows in Rome and Milan received considerable attention from Italy’s tourism sector, reflecting the steady increase in the number of tourists visiting Dubai from this important market.

Trips for two persons to Dubai were raffled off during each workshop. Winners will get to stay in the emirate for three days and join a tour of Dubai’s top tourist destinations.
 

Dubai Department Of Tourism And Commerce Marketing Strengthens Ties With Travel Trade Partners In Germany

Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) has announced that it recently attended a series of travel industry related events in Frankfurt, Germany, to strengthen Dubai’s relationship with travel trade partners and local representatives in Germany, and to reaffirm Dubai’s stature as a leading travel destination.

Representatives from DTCM were present at the Business Partner event of Hilton International, held earlier this month at the Hilton Frankfurt. With two Hilton Hotels in Dubai, and another Conrad Hotel to come soon, the hotel chain is a valued partner for DTCM.

DTCM was also invited by Rhein Main Marketing, an association supporting international business in the Rhein Main region, to a special event that was also attended by more than 500 guests, politicians as well as representatives of Frankfurt’s leading institutions.

Furthermore, Travel One, one of Germany’s leading travel trade publications, invited the German tourism industry including DTCM to the ‘Travel One Compass’, an award ceremony to recognize innovative products in the tourism industry.

DTCM also revealed that Air Berlin will fly directly from Germany’s capital Berlin to Dubai, from November this year. With three non-stop flights per week, Berlin is the fifth city to connect Germany directly to the Emirate. Emirates and Lufthansa are offering 63 direct flights per week from Frankfurt, Munich, Dusseldorf and Hamburg at the moment.

In order to present this new connection, DTCM has teamed up with Air Berlin and is working on several joint marketing activities. Travel agents will be invited to Dubai in the course of a familiarization trip in December. In addition, a joint radio promotion is planned for autumn, in which listeners can win trips to Dubai after successfully answering questions about the destination and the airline. Moreover, the on-board magazine of Air Berlin has already featured a comprehensive article about Dubai, showcasing attractions, new hotels and new projects. Ad campaigns, newsletter and other activities are also in the pipeline.

Eyad Abdul Rahman, DTCM Executive Director of Media Division and Business Development, said: “These promotional events are being organised by DTCM with the aim of increasing the number of tourists from Germany to Dubai, as this European city is one of the main tourism markets globally for the Emirate”.

“The access to Germany’s tourism website and the support from Air Berlin even before it started direct flights to Dubai, has promoted greater cooperation between Germany and Dubai and has already resulted in an increase in tourist inflow from Germany,” added Abdul Rahman.

Abdul Rahman also praised the efforts taken by Emirates Airlines to boost tourism in Dubai by connecting the Emirate to many global destinations.

In another related development, DTCM has teamed up with www.saisoncheck.de, a website designed for the German tourism industry with an aim to optimize service in travel agencies, to train up to 18.500 travel agents, provide detailed information about Dubai and boost the sale for the remainder of the year. The main objective is to provide information and support agents to learn more about suppliers and destinations.

Dubai has now been included in the online portal which provides comprehensive information about the destination’s attractions, features, weather conditions, and other useful details.

Moreover, DTCM’s office in Germany has participated in several marketing activities organised in Frankfurt recently, which aim to promote relations with its partners in the tourism industry in the German market.
 

DTCMs 2010 First Half Report Shows Dubais Growing Appeal As A Tourism Hotspot

A recent report released by the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) shows that Dubai has achieved significant growth in terms of hotel occupancy and tourism arrivals in the first half of 2010 (January through June), where the number of hotel guests in Dubai reached 4,181,326 with a 9% increase from 3,852,742 guests in the first half of the last year.

Khalid Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Director General of DTCM, said that despite the challenging conditions faced by the global tourism industry last year, Dubai was still able to achieve impressive results in terms of tourist arrivals, hotel revenues and tourism related events.

Statistics from DTCM show that the number of hotels operating in Dubai has reached 566, representing a 7 per cent increase from 530 last year, while hotel rooms reached 67,369, indicating a 16 per cent increase from 58,188 rooms last year.

Hotel revenues by the end of the first half of 2010 reached AED 6,888,477, representing a 6 per cent increase over the first half of 2010, during which revenues reached AED 6,519,691.

Bin Sulayem congratulated the private sector in Dubai for this achievement and said that “this would not have been possible without their sincere efforts and cooperation, especially given the challenges faced by the global tourism industry in general.”

Statistics issued by the Department referred to the 18 per cent increase in the number of tourist nights, which reached 12,462,209 nights compared to 10,541,955 during the same period last year.

Hotels sustained their occupancy rate of 71.7 per cent despite the increase in the number of hotel rooms. Meanwhile, the occupancy rate of hotel apartments increased from 67.2 per cent last year to 68.8 per cent this year; representing a 2 per cent increase.

Figures show that total Arab guests in Dubai reached 1, 216, 024 or an increase of 10 per cent from 1,110, 088 last year.

There were 494,309 guests from the GCC, registering a 20 per cent growth from 412,145 during the same period last year. Guests from other Arab countries reached 338,532, rising by 3 per cent from 329,599 in the first half last year.

The number of Asian guests increased by 17 per cent to reach 1,059,096 compared with 902,878 in the same period last year.

European guests reached 1,254,518, increasing by 3 per cent over last year’s 1,216,415.

Hotel guests from the Americas reached 334,984 compared with 312,904 during last year’s first half, representing a 7 per cent increase.

Guests from Australia and Pacific countries reached 100,077, with a 7 per cent increase from 93,159 last year.
There were no remarkable changes in the number of African guests, which reached 216,626 in the first half of 2010.

UK had the most number of guests coming to Dubai in the first half of this year as the country accounted for 382,356 guests, while KSA came first among Arab countries with 227,382 guests.