Dnata Agencies, the region’s leading travel management company, has announced plans to open a state-of-the-art, integrated Dnata Travel Centre in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia.
Modeled after its own flagship office in Dubai at the Dnata Travel Centre on Sheikh Zayed Road, the new centre in Saudi will employ the same concept of providing a “one-stop shop” for retail and corporate travel services, and operate as Dnata’s headquarters in the Kingdom .
Dnata’s move marks its biggest investment outside Dubai, and will be operated as a tripartite partnership with National Flight Services and Al Suwaiket Trading and Contracting Company, both well-established diversified groups of companies based in Saudi.
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Chairman of Emirates Group said: “Dnata is pleased to partner with National Flight Services (NFS) and Al Suwaiket Trading and Contracting Company, to set up operations in Saudi Arabia.”
He added: “Dnata Agencies’ venture in the Kingdom will be its biggest investment outside Dubai to date. Last year, Dnata started operations in Kuwait and this year we look forward to serving retail and corporate customers in the Saudi market with high quality travel services.”
“Dnata has almost 50 years of experience in the travel industry, and during this time we have established a solid reputation and firm operating base in the UAE. It makes business sense to expand Dnata’s operations into other regional markets, as it optimizes the IT systems and manpower expertise already within the company.”
Gary Chapman, President Dnata said: “Saudi Arabia is undoubtedly the biggest travel market in the region outside of the UAE, and one of the most lucrative. There is also great potential for travel demand to grow, particularly given the Kingdom’s recent initiatives to develop the tourism and trade industries.”
“Together with our partners, we aim to provide travelers and companies in Saudi Arabia with top-class professional travel management services, and a broad range travel products through our various specialist divisions.”
Dnata will introduce several firsts in the Kingdom, including the region’s first all-ladies Call Centre operation and a 24-hour hotline that will allow customers to access travel services round the clock, every day of the year.
Other than the Dnata Travel Centre in Al Khobar, Dnata Saudi also plans to open four more retail outlets, including a travel shop at Dammam International Airport. All Dnata’s retail facilities will feature the company’s proprietary travel management system which has sophisticated customer relationship management capabilities.
Sheikh Mubark Al Suwaiket, Chairman Al Suwaiket Group of Companies said: “We are very pleased to introduce in Saudi, the broad range of international travel products and services offered by Dnata Travel. We are investing in cutting-edge travel and management systems, and are confident that customers in our country will benefit from having high quality travel products at value for money.”
In the coming months, Dnata will roll out a series of travel products and services tailored to the Saudi market through its proprietary brands like AXIS Holidays for wholesale leisure; Dnata Holidays for retail leisure sales; World of Events for promoting both inbound and outbound conferences; Instone Marine Travel for marine travel services; and much more.
Mr. Aied bin Thuwab Al-Jaied, Chairman of NFS said: “With the many activities and investments in the pipeline, Dnata Saudi will not only benefit travelers and companies in the Kingdom, but will also generate employment opportunities for Saudi nationals.”
Dnata Saudi has already recruited local nationals to run and manage its operations and has plans to boost its recruitment there, in collaboration with the respective government organizations in the kingdom.
As part of its commitment to operations in Saudi Arabia, Dnata also intends to initiate training programmes for young local nationals in the fields of Travel management, customer service excellence, leadership development, call centre management and other travel industry operations.
© 2005 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
