Stella Obinwa (middle) receiving an award from Dubai Immigration’s Major Talal at the event. Flanking them are other partners at the roadshow.
Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) has hosted Ghanaian travel agents selected from various parts of the country at the La Beach Hotel to its first-ever orientation and road show in Ghana.
DTCM, the principal authority in charge of the planning, supervision, development and marketing of Dubai’s tourism sector, also markets and promotes Emirates’ commercial sector through the licensing and classification of all tourism services, including hotels, tour operators and travel agents.
Stella Obinwa, Regional Director Africa for Dubai Tourism, in a presentation, said Africa continues to be a priority market for Dubai.
She said the maiden exhibition in Accra marked the beginning of successful business and travel relationships between Ghana and Dubai.
“Whether you are looking for fun-filled activities, retail options or a variety of events throughout the year, Dubai has something for everyone. We will build on new and existing trade relationships to facilitate the growth of outbound tourism from Ghana to Dubai,” she disclosed.
She mentioned Dubai Tourism’s partners in the memorable event as Emirates Airline, Dubai Chamber of Commerce, Dubai College of Tourism, Hyatt Regency, Nikki Beach, Grand Hyatt, Dubai Parks and Resorts, North Tours LLC, Red Apple Travel Group, Prime Healthcare Group, as well as the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs in Dubai.
Cynthia Mbauya, Event Sales Manager at Hyatt Regency, Dubai Creek Heights, in a brief statement, enumerated the wonderful rates her outfit had reserved for all Ghanaian travelers to Dubai.
She therefore appealed to Ghanaian travel agents to link their customers to Hyatt Regency for an outstanding experience.
Tamer Magdy, Senior Sales Manager, GCC & MENA of Red Apple, in a remark, said his outfit was ready to offer Ghanaian leisure travelers the best hospitality treat if they visit Dubai.
Anthony Oweleke, Event Planning Executive at Grand Hyatt Dubai, named numerous prizes on offer to Ghanaian travelers.
Omar Abdulaziz Khan, Director, International Relations at Dubai Chamber of Commerce, averred that his outfit, with over 200,000 members, was keen on networking with Ghanaian businesses to promote both countries and create more wealth for their peoples.
In order for travel agents in Ghana to better market Dubai to their customers, Dubai Tourism has introduced an online game called Dubai Expert.
“We have created a card game for agents to play and build a perfect itinerary for their customers. If they play 20 card missions, and they watch all 25 learning videos, they become a Dubai expert. Now there’s another level called Dubai Expert Plus. If they play that game and cross 100,000 points, then they become a Dubai Expert Plus, which means that they have excellent knowledge of Dubai and everything Dubai has to offer. So we are encouraging all the travel agents here in Ghana to register for the game and start learning about Dubai,” an official of Dubai Expert told BUSINESS GUIDE.
By Samuel Boadi
samuel10gh@yahoo.com