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DSS promotions attract tourists from GCC states in big numbers

DUBAI - Travel and tourism companies have been actively luring tourists to visit the emirate this season and take part in the 10-week-long Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) 2006.

Promotions vary from family offers, weekend offers to special marine cruises.

Some of the promotional offers cover lodging and transport to and from shopping malls hosting DSS activities.

There are also special offers for long-stay tourists, with reduced car rental fees and the like.

“The number of GCC tourists to Dubai are constantly increasing. Especially with the current situation in Lebanon, many families have preferred coming to Dubai for their vacation."

"Dubai's visitors have increased by 10-12 per cent over the summer months,” said Salah Sharaf, chairman of Sharaf Travel Company.

He added that DSS has also tipped the scales in favour of Dubai as a summer tourist resort.

Sharaf Travel Company targets European, Asian and African markets.

“Asian tourist movement has not reached the desired levels because of the circumstances in the Middle East."

"A good percentage of tourist traffic from Africa is mostly business-related, while from GCC, it is mostly families,” Sharaf mentioned.

Riyad Al Faisal, Director General of Al Majed Tours, also agrees that DSS has helped greatly increase the numbers of tourists from GCC countries and Europe.

"The season was good, but due to the crisis in Lebanon, the mood has turned sombre."

"Al Majed Tours has promotional deals and package tours on offer, with competitive prices for hotels, and a free night for every three-nights stay in one of these hotels,” he said.

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