Event Round Up

High TAAI-ed in Dubai

The Travel Agents Association of India's (Western Region) first international meet in Dubai, with the co-operation of Dubai Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing, was a mix of work and pleasure for the 75 delegates. By Chetan Kapoor

Its proximity to India has made UAE a popular destination with Indians. Increased connectivity, not only to metros but tier I and II cities as well, have primarily driven this growth. Dubai was therefore a natural choice for hosting TAAI - Western Region's meet in co-ordination with Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing (DTCM).

Ahmed Seghayer Alketbi

Carl Vaz

Jerad Bachar

Kulwant Singh

Saugat Nandy

Says Ahmed Seghayer Alketbi, executive director (Convention & Heritage), Government of Dubai, DTCM, "Dubai likes to wear a different dress and welcome its guests in a different way. Of course, we do face challenges, whether from your (agents) side or from our side in terms of availability in flight seats, hotel rooms, etc. Our national carrier Emirates is therefore looking at starting a low-cost airline now."

According to reports, the Middle East is investing about US$ 3.6 billion in tourism development over the next 12 years.

Likewise, Starwood, which was a partner hotel for the event, is witnessing dynamic growth in the region with 16 new hotels in the pipeline. According to Ahmed Baki, regional director of sales and marketing (Middle East), Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, the chain currently has 50 properties in the region and its room revenue witnessed an 18.2 per cent increase as compared to 2006, besides revenue per available room (RevPAR) rising close to 15 per cent in 2007.

"We saw phenomenal last year and a dynamic first five months this year in the Middle East. We will double our portfolio in the next three to five years," he said while addressing the delegates during a dinner hosted at the Sheraton Dubai Creek Hotel & Towers. The chain recently inaugurated two new properties in Dubai - Four Points by Sheraton Sheikh Zayed Road and Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi.

The trade was also given presentations by Saugat Nandy, its manager (Global Sales) on STARnet (see box) and Kulwant Singh, MD of Lama Group, on the products and services it can offer to the Indian trade, including a B2B portal for faster bookings. In addition, the delegates also had a motivational and team building sessions by Advait Dikshit.

Indian invasion

It is no secret that the Indian outbound promises to be one of the highest globally. To give one an idea, eight million Indians travelled to international destinations in 2007. This is expected to rise to 16 million besides contributing US$ 21 million in tourism expenditure by 2011. Anoop Kanuga, chairman, TAAI-WR, said, "Adventure tourism, theme holidays, spa and wellness getaways are now in demand. The open skies have led to dramatic increase in capacity, especially between India and the UAE. What would attract the Indian traveller to Dubai is the combination of luxury, state-of-the-art infrastructure and shopping."

In addition, Dubai is increasingly becoming a popular destination for MICE. Says Jerad Bachar, head (Sales & Convention Service), Dubai Convention Bureau, "We are building the world's biggest convention centre spread over 3,00,000 square metres at the Dubai Exhibition World, scheduled to be ready by 2010. We pride ourselves as being a business hub and want to market ourselves as an international city of the future."

To facilitate this, the DTCM plans to open office in New York and in Asia-Pacific by 2009. Adds Carl Vaz, director India, Government of Dubai, DTCM, "Dubai welcomed over 4,10,000 visitors in 2007 and an increase of 15 per cent is expected this year. The Arabian paradise has a lot to offer to tourists and business travellers. For example, we are probably the only place where a person can ski on three different surfaces - sand, water and snow - all on the same day. At DTCM India, we look forward to the support extended by the travel fraternity in India in promoting Destination Dubai in order to achieve high levels of growth in 2008 and 2009."

Sweet success: (L-R) Shahrukh Kapadia, managing committee member and chairman - Travel Agents Council, TAAI; Jerad Bachar, head (Sales & Convention Service), Dubai Convention Bureau; Anoop Kanuga, chairman, Western Region, TAAI; Sharmila Mehta, honorary treasurer - Western Region, TAAI; Carl Vaz, director India, Government of Dubai, DTCM and Kulwant Singh, MD of Lama Group

STARnet

STARnet is a global rate programme for approved sellers of packaged travel offering net rates, 24/7 availability, web booking and access to all Starwood properties. Saugat Nandy, manager (Global Sales) of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, said, "On our website, one usually gets to see the best available rates (BAR) but as STARnet members, the agents will get a 15 per cent rebate on the BAR." Once the agent becomes a STARnet member, they have to insert the STARnet number to avail this rebate. "Most importantly, one has to use their own corporate credit card to make the reservation and not of their customers," informed Nandy in addition of adding the customer's preferred guest number so that the customer does not lose out on his loyalty points. Agents can now give vouchers confirming the reservations to their clients which are accepted at all Starwood properties. Adds Nandy, "Agent vouchers are not always supported by hotels. By being a member, we will recognise their effort through their voucher, which will be accepted across every Starwood hotel in India and abroad."