Lama Desert Tours and Cruises Managing Partner Kulwant Singh estimated an increase in tourism numbers of 15 to 20 per cent compared to visitors during the last year's festival.

Singh said an increase in numbers from the subcontinent for DSS had boosted numbers.

"Normally there are travellers from the Middle East who still lead in visitor arrivals, but to see an increase from the visitors from subcontinent is very surprising," Singh said.

"There has been very good marketing."

Singh said the second quarter of this year, from April to the end of June, had seen an increase in travel business of 28 per cent.

Al Rais Travel General Manager Hossein Tehrani said the festival had drawn visitors not only from the GCC but also from Europe.

"I think it's very helpful in terms of coinciding with the summer travel period," he said.

"Incoming flights are fully booked, even from Europe. We had seen a 25 per cent increase in travel from May to November last year."

Regional travel service provider Wild Discovery expected an 11 per cent increase compared to the same time in 2007, it reported in a statement yesterday.

Patrick Samaha, General Manager of Wild Discovery Dubai Offices, said, "Dubai has become a trendy and a 'must see' destination.

"The growth in the tourism sector has made Dubai a brand that everyone has to visit and experience."

"The hot summers are no longer a "low season".

"In fact each year bookings and reservations with Wild Discovery are increasing noticeably."

Wild Discovery offers family holidays, desert safaris and cruises among its offers.

By Zoe Sinclair (Our staff reporter)

© Khaleej Times 2008

 

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