Facing up to facts

I was disappointed last month to have to report that the bad weather that plagued the UAE and the surprise visit from George W. Bush had no detrimental effect on the meetings industry.

When Mr. Bush forced Dubai to close its entire road network, many people - myself included - had to cancel their plans and stay at home.

And yet when I called several trade professionals to ask them how the situation had affected business, many refused to acknowledge that there had been any difficulties whatsoever.

Arabian Adventures senior vice president Frédéric Bardin quite rightly conceded that there had indeed been some problems but explained that his team had implemented "contingency plans" and overcome them. Fair enough.

Others, including a high-ranking member of management staff at Dubai World Trade Centre sounded positively shocked that I had even suggested that there had been any disruptions to the major events that took place at the venue during that period.

There is no shame in acknowledging that a problem exists and suggesting ways in which that problem can be avoided or dealt with in the future - that is the way an industry moves forward - but to bury one's head in the sand is quite absurd.

The meetings industry in the region is still young and therefore fraught with unexpected set-backs, but it is a destination's ability to identify and overcome those problems that will make it stronger.

The bad weather wasn't the end of the world, but it did highlight that there were certain issues that need to be addressed in the UAE if the country is to continue with its phenomenal growth. The question is who will speak up first?

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