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UK Is Dubai's top travel origin market with 605,000 visitors in 2004. The
Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) hosted 100 British
travel agents – 'Dubai Experts' - on a familiarisation trip in
Dubai.
This initiative follows the successful launch of the DTCM’s first-ever
on-line training programme, Dubai Expert, created specifically for travel
executives in the UK and Ireland.
The trip has been arranged by the DTCM, with generous support from
several Dubai-based organisations, for 100 top-scoring, qualified
“graduates” from the UK who have passed both levels of the comprehensive 18
module course.
Four groups of 25 travel agents each gained first-hand experience of a
selection of Dubai’s finest features which will lead to additional
destination knowledge.
All of the attendees came together while in Dubai for an industry
workshop hosted by the Habtoor Grand Resort & Spa. They heared about the
latest developments in Dubai and about the future of Dubai from key
developers of main tourism and leisure infrastructure projects, as well as
from some of the main sponsors.
The DTCM Manager Missions, Mr. Hamad bin Mejrin, gave a presentation on
Dubai to the participants and provided insights into the emirate’s different
socio-economic aspects.
Emirates provided flights for all 100 attendees, enabling them to sample
their direct flights from the UK and its in-flight service. The ground
handling, including a city tour and desert safari, was arranged by Arabian
Adventures. The agents attended a welcome dinner on board Bateaux Dubai,
courtesy of Jebel Ali International.
The groups stayed at a mixture of hotels to experience a variety of city
properties - Grand Hyatt and Shangri-La – as well as some beach properties -
Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa, Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa and
One&Only Royal Mirage.
Site inspections, which are vital for the travel agents’ training, and
other meals, were provided by several hotels including Al Khaleej Palace
Hotel, Avari Hotel, Crowne Plaza Dubai, Fairmont Dubai, Grand Hyatt Dubai,
Hyatt Regency Dubai, InterContinental Hotel Dubai, Jumeirah, Le Meridien
Grosvenor House Dubai, Metropolitan Hotel Dubai, Oasis Beach Hotel and
Taj
Palace Hotel.
Ms.Bärbel Kirchner, DTCM Director of the UK and Ireland, said: “The UK is
Dubai's top tourist generating market with 605,000 visitors in 2004 – a 32
per cent increase over the year 2003 arrivals. The DTCM recognises the
importance of providing training and information about Dubai to the travel
industry to ensure that this trend continues.”
She added: “By hosting 100 of our top Dubai Experts on a familiarisation
trip, we are showing our commitment to the travel agents for their further
training which will, in turn, help them to increase sales.”
The DTCM launched Dubai Expert in March 2005. The DTCM’s UK and Ireland
office had already achieved it training target for travel agents for the
entire year by the end of June 2005.
Opportunities are available for Dubai-based leisure and travel industry
suppliers to complement the DTCM’s e-initiative by supporting the
programme’s reward scheme.
The on-line training platform is free of charge to take part for UK and
Irish travel agents and tour operator reservation staff. It gives
comprehensive knowledge of Dubai as a tourist destination and trainees are
able to progress at their own pace through the training programme’s two
levels.
The content provides up to date information to raise awareness levels of
Dubai’s diversity of attractions. Training is a key service the DTCM offers
to its business partners in the travel industry.
The flexibility of this e-initiative allows the content to be updated
frequently in line with the fast-paced development of Dubai’s tourism
product.
In the future, more levels of the training programme may be developed in
conjunction with additional travel industry principals.
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