Al Marri: New procedures for entry permits revived tourism sector and reduced number of violators

'DNRD completely supports Dubai's tourism sector, says Director-General'

DUBAI, March 25 2008: Major-General Mohammad Ahmed Al Marri, Director-General of Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department (DNRD), has reiterated the authority's full support to Dubai's tourism sector through facilitating passengers' smooth entry and exit by simplifying procedures to ensure their comfort and attending to their needs quickly.

Major-General Al Marri urged the relevant authorities to work hand in hand to boost Dubai's economy and develop the emirate as the leading commercial hub in the region. He also stated that DNRD is lending its support to the tourism sector in a number of ways, including providing a sufficient transition period for tourism companies to implement new laws and issuing exemptions to some agencies that are promoting tourism in Dubai, if there are valid reasons.

The recommendations were discussed during a meeting he held recently at the DNRD headquarters with officials from Dubai Tourism and Commercial Marketing (DTCM) and representatives of the tourism sector in the presence of Lieutenant-Colonel Yousef Al Marri, Assistant Manager in the Residency and Entry Permits Department; Major Mohammad Al Hammadi, Director of Entry Permits Department; Iyad Abdul Rahman, Executive Director in the Media Relations Department and Acting Head of Business Development at DTCM and Khaled Tok, Executive Manager for the Permit and Assessment Department.

Major-General Al Marri said that the new executive list on entry permits and residency for expatriates has proven very effective with regards to decreasing the number of illegal residents and has had a significant positive impact on the tourism sector. Replying to concerns that some visa types cannot be renewed causing inconvenience to the visitors, Maj-Gen. Al Marri said that visit visas can be renewed by paying the necessary fees.

Major-General Al Marri appreciated the initiative launched by DTCM to categorize tourism agencies in order to better organize the sector, and extended DNRD's full support and commitment to facilitate the procedures for the leading tourism organisations that contribute to increased tourist arrivals in Dubai.

At the end of the meeting, Major-General Al Marri explained the various services that DNRD is offering, including attending to the customers' needs round the clock, even during public holidays, and the recently launched mobile phone visa service.

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