Global Tourism Club (GTC) has launched its new destination marketing division as a part of its organic growth strategy, leveraging its expertise of the Internet and robust network of travel agencies and operators within the Mena region.

GTC 360 Destination Marketing offers representation services as well as comprehensive and integrated marketing communication solutions to its clients, said a senior official.

'The representation services include annual contracts and can be white labeled, partnered or purely unbranded representation involving direct sales. Integrated marketing communication offers various marketing solutions for travel related products and services in any phase of their individual product life cycle,' he added.

'GTC is evolving as a travel organization. From a travel agency to a leading Middle Eastern consumer travel portal was the first step towards our fulfillment as a 360 offering to the travel industry,' said Mujtaba Mahmoud, general manager of GTC.

'Whilst we are focusing on moving towards a greater virtual operation, we have introduced a service to tourism boards, destinations and other travel and hospitality brands from around the world direct access to not only the Middle East’s travel trade but also, the consumers. That is what GTC 360 Destination Marketing is about,” he remarked.

“The plan was born after extensive market feedback that the Gulf had become the cynosure of all eyes, wanting a share of the local consumer’s wallet, spent in their country, city and destination. The global economic downturn has highlighted that the Gulf is the surviving bastion of affluent consumers willing to spend on travel,” Mahmoud added.

Paul James Rebutazo, manager of GTC 360 Destination Marketing said, “We received enormous levels of interest during the three day meetings and introductions at Arabian Travel Markets held in Dubai earlier this month. Tourism boards in particular commented that the solutions and packages GTC 360 Destination Marketing offers seem cost efficient and targeted, an approach that is critical in these cash strapped times.”

The new division gained its first account within a month of its inception by winning a pitched piece of business from Turismo Madrid and Madrid Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

GTC 360 Destination Marketing had organized four road shows last month in Kuwait, Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Doha for the 18 member delegation sponsored jointly by Turismo Madrid and Madrid Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

'Representing Madrid’s finest hotels, inbound tour operators, car rentals and Real Madrid, the delegates were introduced to representatives of each city’s local travel trade. Each road show was well attended and the overall feedback was that the Spanish delegation had made enormous contacts with the local travel trade whereas the latter greatly benefitted from getting new and valuable packages just in time to offer their clientele for summer breaks.'

Jose Maria Lopez Montes, head of International Markets and Sponsorships of Turismo Madrid said, “With Turismo Madrid’s road show a success, we are now in the preparatory stages of launching our work with one South East Asian and one Central Asian client.'

'Additionally, we have tied up with our parent company GTC and sister company GTC 360 Travel Bazaar to offer a service that has a strong direct marketing back up, a creative an innovative approach and a wide outreach across the GCC and the Mena regions,” he added.

Mahmoud said, “GTC 360 Destination Marketing is fully supported by GTC’s network of partners in Egypt and Syria and its entire network of travel agencies and tour operators. This adds great value to its offer, and that through GTC, brands can reach out to the GTC members in a credible way.”-TradeArabia News Service