uae reaffirms status as regional tourism hub as country accounts for 85% of gcc tourism project investments
Eye of Dubai discusses future cooperation avenues with DTCM’s Director General
Eye of Dubai, the premier comprehensive tourism and investment guidebook and online portal for Dubai residents and visitors, has announced that it was involved in a discussion with Khalid Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Director General of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), during his visit to the Eye of Dubai stand at TDIM (Tourism Development Projects & Investment Market) 2008, that was held in Dubai from January 20 -22.
The two parties discussed potential opportunities of mutual cooperation that could further boost the UAE’s tourism sector, at a time when the UAE is estimated to account for AED 858 billion or 85 per cent of the AED 1.2 trillion worth of tourism-related project investments in the GCC; this according to a recent market survey conducted by Reed Exhibitions.
Abdullah Al Harbi, CEO, Eye of Dubai, said, “The UAE’s stature as the number one tourism destination in the region has been widely acknowledged, and recent developments and tourism investments in the country clearly suggest that the UAE will enjoy this status for several years to come. We had very fruitful discussions with the Director General of DTCM, following which we would be working closely on several initiatives to make the UAE’s tourism sector all the more attractive.”
“The overwhelming response generated by the TDIM is ample proof of the rapid growth of the tourism sector in the region, especially in Dubai, and Eye of Dubai – as media partners of the event - is totally committed to take Dubai’s tourism industry to new heights,” he added.
TDIM 08 is the first-ever exclusive show dedicated to developments and investments in the tourism sector. Over 4,500 visitors comprising senior representatives in the field of LHE (Leisure, Hospitality & Entertainment) projects operation, facility management, investment, concept designing, and consultancy, from all over the world attended the three-day event.
A recent survey by Reed revealed that the UAE tops the GCC in terms of land area occupied by tourism projects. It has an area of 558m square meters under development for tourism projects, accounting for more than 75 per cent of the combined land area under development for tourism in the GCC.
Eye of Dubai has been a recipient of several awards, including ‘Best Website of the Year,’ ‘Gold Award for Best Travel and Tourism Website’ and ‘Gold Award for Directories and Info Services’ at the 2007 UAE Web Wards. It also won ‘Best Strategic Website for Travel and Tourism,’ 'International Standards Web technology Award’ and ‘Gold Award for Best Travel and Tourism Website' during the Pan Arab Web Awards 2007.
