The Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), recently conducted tourism workshops to network with the Indian travel industry covering the cities of Mumbai, Hyderabad, New Delhi and Ahmedabad.

The initiative was in line with its 2012’s marketing strategy to boost the overall number of Indian travelers to Dubai, a statement from the Department said.
         
The workshops targeted over 1,000 Indian trade professionals comprising major travel and tour operators, wedding planners and up-market leisure operators across India.

The aim of the marketing and promotional initiative was to provide updated information on Dubai, both from DTCM and its co-participating hoteliers, tourist attractions and destination management companies, the statement said.

The delegation included an official from the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai who are responsible for the issuance of visas.
         
The event focused on presenting Dubai in a new light, highlighting its new marketing strategies for India that focuses on niche segments such as student groups, senior citizens, sporting enthusiasts, heritage and culture enthusiasts, up-market leisure travelers and the lucrative wedding segment.
         
Saleh Al Geziry, director of overseas promotions and inward missions, DTCM, said: “Dubai is a vibrant destination that attracts travelers year-on-year. These workshops represent a vital component in bringing in the overall number of inbound travelers into Dubai from across the world.” 
         
The workshops included presentations by officials of Emirates, Atlantis – The Palm and Royal Arabian Tours, and included detailed networking sessions between the Dubai delegation and leaders of the Indian travel community.

India is a major source market for Dubai’s vibrant tourism industry. In 2011, it topped the strongest passenger growth in passengers’ numbers at the Dubai International airport which closed the year with over 51 million passengers. 

India is expected to produce 50 million outbound tourists each year by 2020, according to the UN World Tourism Organisation, with its per capita income forecast to surge over the next decade.

“A large segment of Indian visitors utilise hotels and hotel apartments in the Emirate making India the top source market,” Al Geziry said.

“In 2009, over 529,500 Indian travelers stayed in Dubai’s hotels and hotel apartments, which crossed to over 638,100 in 2010 representing an annual growth rate of 21 per cent. In 2010, India was the second on the list of top source markets for Dubai hotels which numbers 570 with over 70,000 rooms. In 2011, the number of Indian guests in Dubai hotels crossed the 700,000 mark,” he added.

Dubai-based Emirates is planning more flights to India to cater to rising demand from the Indian business and tourism sectors. The carrier, which is awaiting clearances from the government to fly its Airbus A380 aircraft to Delhi and Mumbai, said there are insufficient capacities out of India to meet rising demand from business and middle-class travellers. 

Dubai’s budget carrier, flydubai, currently has connectivity to Dubai from three Indian cities including Hyberabad and Ahmadabad. In addition to this, several other carriers including Air India, Indian Airlines, IndiGo, Jet Airways and Kingfisher operate flights on Dubai-India sector.

DTCM has had a representative office in India for over eight years which has been functioning as an initial contact point and query-processing centre for the Indian travel trade interested in doing business in Dubai. – TradeArabia News Service