OFFICIALS FROM 10 PUBLIC & PRIVATE SECTOR ORGANISATIONS ADDRESS THE PARTICIPANTS
DTCM OFFICIALS REPORT STRONG GLOBAL INVESTORS & MEDIA INTEREST IN DUBAI PROJECTS
Senior officials of the Overseas Representation (OR) offices of Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) were updated on the multi-million dollar projects that are currently underway and expected to broaden the global appeal of Dubai as an ideal year-round business and leisure destination.
The insights into ambitious and trend-setting developments were provided by the senior management representatives of 10 public and private sector organizations that are currently handling the impressive portfolio of projects, ranging from airport expansion to the construction of the world's tallest tower and the world's biggest shopping mall.
The department organized the informative and interactive sessions at the Madinat Jumeirah on the concluding day of the 10-day annual performance review and strategic planning meeting of the OR offices.
The DTCM Director Operations and Marketing, Mr. Mohammed Khamis bin Hareb, who welcomed the speakers, said: "The presentations by the senior officials of the organizations that have been the key players of the Dubai tourism industry will help the DTCM staff attend to enquiries and guide the investors and visitors alike. They were made aware of the most defining movements in the history of Dubai."
Tracing the growth of Emirates airline in the past two decades and the expansion plans that have caught the world aviation industry's attention, Mr. Ghaith Al Ghaith, Executive Vice President for Commercial Operations, said the trend-setting airline company plans to have a network of over 120 destinations by the year 2012, up from the present 76.
He said: "We have 61 passenger aircrafts and working towards having 147 passenger aircrafts by 2012. We will have 58,000 seats in 2012, up from 18,300 seats. We will be handling 30 million passengers in that year, up from 10 million passengers now."
Emirates, he said, has $26 billion in committed orders for 99 firm orders for new aircrafts, including 43 A380-800s.
In his presentation on Dubailand, Mr. Arif Mubarak Ghanim, Business Development Manager, said: "The multi-phase, multi-dimensional project is expected to contribute enormously to the growth of the emirate's $1.9 billion tourism industry."
The project has been designed to position Dubai as an ultimate destination for family leisure and entertainment, sustain GDP growth and increase in tourist volume, their spending and length of stay, he said.
Providing details of the iconic projects like The Palm and The World being developed by Nakheel, Mr. Sherif Mekhemer, Senior Manager, Business Development - Hospitality, said over $15 billion investment was involved in the construction of seven mega projects, including The Palm, The World and International City.
These projects, featuring residential apartments, villas, hotels and resorts, among other facilities, have attracted investors and buyers from as many as 60 countries. Some of the projects have been snapped up in a matter of few hours, creating a history of sorts, he said.
Mr. Phil Mcarthur, Director, Leasing and Marketing, Dubai Festival City, said the phased work on the 1600-acre development along four kilometers of Dubai's picturesque Creek was progressing on schedule to offer 70 million square feet of mixed-use space on its completion in September 2006.
Mr. Khalid Al Malik, Director of Operations, Dubai Development and Investment Authority (DDIA), said: "Dubai projects like Dubai Healthcare City have helped attract a significant inflow of capital. The authority has been created for and working towards promoting the economic growth and development of Dubai by encouraging investments in different sectors."
Ms. Barbara Elisabeth Castek, Head of Dubai Aid City, said the world's first humanitarian free zone has been created for the benefit of humanitarian organizations, suppliers and service providers.
Several organizations like UNICEF, UNHRC, OXFAM and WHO have extended their support to the project by coming forward to utilize the wide range of services and facilities that the Aid City offers. She said the warehouses will be ready by March next year.
Mr. Adel Yahya, Manager Financial Analyst & Investment, EMAAR, focused his presentation on EMAAR properties, the lifestyle factor and the overwhelming magnitude of each development.
He said the EMAAR developments are part of an elaborate exercise to enhance the global image of Dubai.
Mr. Jan Bak, Senior Manager Sales & Marketing, Dubai Ports Authority, said: "The number of Logistics companies in the free zone has more than doubled since 1999. We are trying to attract more such companies from throughout the world."
Mr. Huraiz Al Mur Bin Huraiz, Manager Press Relations & Communications, Department of Civil Aviation, said: "There has been a steady growth in the Dubai International Airport passengers since 1980. Dubai enjoys the biggest market share -16% - within the Middle East. The airport is projected to handle 36 million passengers by the year 2006 and 60 million by the year 2010."
Mr. Najmuddin Sathak, Board Member, Dubai Gold & Jewellery Group, said: "The jewellery sales have increased to reach the $ 3billion mark, 100 % increase over 1996. More than 500 kilograms of gold worth $6 million has been given away in promotion prizes by the group which has over 500 retail outlets as its members."
He said over 25 tonnes of gold jewellery is on display in the Gold Souq at any given time. Our ambition is to double the Dubai jewellery turnover to $6 billion by 2010.
-Ends-
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
MOHAMMED ABDUL MANNAN
Executive,
Media Relations
Tel: +9714 2010 421
Fax: +9714 2010412
Email: mmannan@dubaitourism.ae
SHILPI PILLAI
Officer, Media Relations
Tel: +9714 2010462
Fax: +971 4 223 00 22
Email: spillai@dubaitourism.ae
© Press Release 2004
