DTCM pledges equality for all exhibitors

zoom

Khalid Ibrahim bin Nassar said all DTCM exhibitors are treated equally.

The Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) has quashed claims that big-name brands are given preferential treatment and more space on its stand at international trade shows.

An ATN source had claimed the DTCM, at one of its regular meetings with the local travel trade, had been accused of favouring exhibitors willing to part with the largest sums of cash to the detriment of start-ups or cash-strapped companies.

The source said the DTCM has also ignored suggestions that smaller tourism partners should be subsidised to ensure a broader mix of exhibitors were showcased.

But according to Khalifa Ali K Buamaim, manager, overseas promotions, DTCM, no one had aired concerns about preferential treatment to the department.

“The government and the DTCM have a very clear policy that we treat all partners the same, and the policy says first come first served,” he said.

Exhibitors who take part in any of the DTCM’s 29 trade shows this year all pay the same registration fee, for which they are entitled to a 2x2m² booth where they can display their logo and a graphic. In addition, DTCM provides the catering, logistics and PR for all its exhibiting partners, he explained.

The DTCM’s overseas promotions executive, Khalid Ibrahim bin Nassar, added: “That goes for everybody, whether you are the Burj al Arab, or a two-star hotel.

He said the Dubai Government encouraged all members of the tourism industry to participate in overseas trade shows, and emphasised how the DTCM slashed its registration fee by nearly 50% post 9/11 when tourism to Dubai suffered.

DTCM participated in six European trade shows in January alone, and will have attended 15 by March 31, nearly 50% of the total for the year. The month kicked off with the Norwegian International Travel and Tourism Fair, followed by trade shows in Austria, Finland, Switzerland, Turkey and Spain.

Print | Email | Discuss this article

| Share |

READERS' COMMENTS

Click here to post a comment

Add your Comment All posts are sent to the administrator for review and are published only after approval. ArabianBusiness.com reserves the right to remove any comment at any time for any reason. Please keep your responses appropriate and on topic. Arabian Business would like to point out that only comments relevant to the story will be published. Any containing personal insults or inappropriate language will not be approved.
Name *
Remember me on this computer
Email *	(Your email address will not be published)
City
Country
Subject *
Comment *
Notify me of further comments
Enter the words above *
Please click post only once - your comment will not be published immediately.

MORE FROM ARABIANBUSINESS.COM