Dubai conducts biggest fam ever for Indian trade

DUBAI’S Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) is conducting its biggest fam trip to date for 430 Indian tour operators from December 6-9.

The trip will include day-long business presentations by the NTO and key inbound stakeholders, as well as direct interface with several popular tourism attractions.

It will also comprise city tours; a desert dining experience at Bab al Shams; tented lunch at Atlantis, the Palm; al fresco dinner on the lawns of Jumeirah Beach Hotel; dhow cruise and dinner at Dubai Marina; as well as a visit to Lost Chamber aquarium and Ski Dubai at the Mall of the Emirates, among others.

Tour operators from 14 Indian cities are participating in the fam. The hotels hosting them include Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, Waldorf Astoria and the Atlantis, all located at the Palm, the premier hospitality area of Dubai.

P P Khanna, director, Diplomatic Travel Point, said: “Dubai is growing as a destination for Indians and its positioning as a family leisure destination has swelled considerably, reflecting growth of 10 per cent, year-on-year.

“I expect the destination to grow by 15-20 per cent if the prices are rationalised, in keeping with other competing destinations that Indians frequently travel to.”

Marc Bennett, senior vice president, international operations of DTCM, said: “This is the right time to intensify our promotional efforts in India. We are planning training programmes in 20 Indian languages, other than English, to educate our partners in the Indian travel trade about new products, venues and attractions that Dubai believes will be interesting to the Indian traveller.”

A roadshow to promote cruise tourism, encouraged by the new 90-day multiple-entry visas and 386,083 cruise tourists in 2013, will be held in four Indian cities next week.

Sanjay Maniar, managing director, Travelaid, said: “The shopping and food festivals are big draws for Indians, while family entertainment is already working well for our outbound market. New experiences, like the three imminent theme parks, will enhance our itineraries for Dubai.”

India is the second largest source market for Dubai, clocking 888,835 visitors in 2013.

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