![\"Mr](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Steen-in-color.jpg\")
The highest hotel in the world now is the Marriott Marquis hotel, 355 meters high, also located in Dubai. Hotel will have 528 rooms, and on it’s 75 floors will also have a pool bar, Jacuzzi, spa center, relaxation club, cafe and a Mediterranean type restaurant.
\nThe post World’s Tallest Hotel to Be Opened in Dubai appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.
\n", "content_text": "Hotel Gevora will be 365 meters high and should be opened in the first quarter of 2018.\nThe highest hotel in the world now is the Marriott Marquis hotel, 355 meters high, also located in Dubai. Hotel will have 528 rooms, and on it’s 75 floors will also have a pool bar, Jacuzzi, spa center, relaxation club, cafe and a Mediterranean type restaurant.\nThe post World’s Tallest Hotel to Be Opened in Dubai appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.", "date_published": "2018-01-12T12:06:40+01:00", "date_modified": "2018-01-12T12:06:40+01:00", "author": { "name": "Mirjana Novitovic", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/author/officebs/", "avatar": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/slika-.jpg" }, "image": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/DUBAI-CITY-TOUR-min-3-1-800x600.jpg", "tags": [ "dubai", "hotel", "tallest hotel", "News and events" ] }, { "id": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/dubai-welcomes-forever-living-mega-incentive-group/", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/dubai-welcomes-forever-living-mega-incentive-group/", "title": "Dubai welcomes Forever Living mega-incentive group", "content_html": "Dubai Business Events, the city\u2019s official convention bureau, successfully won the bid in 2015 to host USA-based Forever Living\u2019s annual trip in partnership with a number of local stakeholders, including Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), Emirates and other key suppliers to the tourism and hospitality industry.
\nIssam Kazim, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing said: \u201cDubai has consistently captured the hearts of travellers from around the world, and has cemented its reputation of being an attractive destination for leisure and business. The growing influence of the incentive segment cannot be overlooked as it is a major contributor, not only towards the development of the overall business events industry, but also towards the success of the city\u2019s tourism sector. Hosting the Forever Global Rally 2017 is a significant milestone for Dubai, and is testament to Dubai\u2019s world-class physical infrastructure that is evidently capable of welcoming and accommodating large-scale groups.\u201d
\nThe post Dubai welcomes Forever Living mega-incentive group appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.
\n", "content_text": "Dubai has officially welcomed one of its largest ever incentive groups, with more than 12,000 visitors from over 100 countries worldwide arriving for the Forever Global Rally 2017, taking place 2-11 April.\nDubai Business Events, the city\u2019s official convention bureau, successfully won the bid in 2015 to host USA-based Forever Living\u2019s annual trip in partnership with a number of local stakeholders, including Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), Emirates and other key suppliers to the tourism and hospitality industry.\nIssam Kazim, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing said: \u201cDubai has consistently captured the hearts of travellers from around the world, and has cemented its reputation of being an attractive destination for leisure and business. The growing influence of the incentive segment cannot be overlooked as it is a major contributor, not only towards the development of the overall business events industry, but also towards the success of the city\u2019s tourism sector. Hosting the Forever Global Rally 2017 is a significant milestone for Dubai, and is testament to Dubai\u2019s world-class physical infrastructure that is evidently capable of welcoming and accommodating large-scale groups.\u201d\nThe post Dubai welcomes Forever Living mega-incentive group appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.", "date_published": "2017-04-06T13:33:11+02:00", "date_modified": "2017-04-06T13:33:11+02:00", "author": { "name": "Milica Novak", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/author/milicanovak/", "avatar": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Milica-Novak.jpg" }, "image": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Dubai-welcomes-Forever-Living-mega-incentive-group.jpg", "tags": [ "dubai", "incentive", "NEWS" ] }, { "id": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/floating-seahorse-dubai-s-first-partially-underwater-villa/", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/floating-seahorse-dubai-s-first-partially-underwater-villa/", "title": "\u201cThe Floating Seahorse\u201d\u2014 Dubai\u2019s first partially underwater villa", "content_html": "Villa is currently available for purchase for $2.7 million. The floating luxury home has 3\u00a0levels, with one being submerged under water. The main floor will feature an outdoor shower, kitchen, and glass-bottomed Jacuzzi.
\nThe\u00a0underwater\u00a0level is home to the master bedroom and bathroom, with floor-to-ceiling windows complete with views of life under the sea.
\nThe first of 42 villas are located a few\u00a0miles off shore in a grouping of islands called the Heart of Europe.
\nDeveloper of the project is The Kleindienst Group which not only wants to offer world-class living quarters, but is also on a mission to protect the local marine life.
\nThe post \u201cThe Floating Seahorse\u201d\u2014 Dubai\u2019s first partially underwater villa appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.
\n", "content_text": "Dubai\u2019s\u00a0first partially underwater villa \u201cThe Floating Seahorse\u201d has been completed. This marks a major milestone for The World Islands project.\nVilla is currently available for purchase for $2.7 million. The floating luxury home has 3\u00a0levels, with one being submerged under water. The main floor will feature an outdoor shower, kitchen, and glass-bottomed Jacuzzi.\nThe\u00a0underwater\u00a0level is home to the master bedroom and bathroom, with floor-to-ceiling windows complete with views of life under the sea.\nThe first of 42 villas are located a few\u00a0miles off shore in a grouping of islands called the Heart of Europe.\nDeveloper of the project is The Kleindienst Group which not only wants to offer world-class living quarters, but is also on a mission to protect the local marine life.\nThe post \u201cThe Floating Seahorse\u201d\u2014 Dubai\u2019s first partially underwater villa appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.", "date_published": "2016-05-24T16:15:53+02:00", "date_modified": "2016-07-01T15:43:55+02:00", "author": { "name": "Mirjana Novitovic", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/author/officebs/", "avatar": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/slika-.jpg" }, "image": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/plutajuca-vila-2.jpg", "tags": [ "dubai", "The Floating Seahorse", "underwater villa", "OMG... Really?!" ] }, { "id": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/mice-middle-east-forum-2015/", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/mice-middle-east-forum-2015/", "title": "MICE Middle East Forum 2015 to be held on 7th October", "content_html": "Forum is\u00a0supported by Dubai Business Events, and it will be attended by\u00a0250 delegates from across the Gulf.
\nThe Forum will provide unique opportunities for senior members and decision makers\u00a0from event management industry, event organizers industry, agencies and associations, NGOs, etc to network, co-create new ideas, exchange experiences and find out about the latest trends and prospects for the meetings, incentives, conferences and events sectors.
\nAmong the high profile speakers confirmed are Elie Rizk, CEO MICE Arabia, President, Lebanese Exhibitions & Conferences Associaton; Lara Maggiore, Head of Global Marketing and Brand, Expo 2015 Milan; and Thomas Ovesen, COO, Done Events.
\nMICE Middle East Forum\u00a0is organised by\u00a0Pinnacle Middle East.
\nThe post MICE Middle East Forum 2015 to be held on 7th October appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.
\n", "content_text": "“MICE Middle East Forum 2015 – New Market Opportunities and Challenges” will be held on 7th October 2015 at JW Marriott Marquis Dubai.\nForum is\u00a0supported by Dubai Business Events, and it will be attended by\u00a0250 delegates from across the Gulf.\nThe Forum will provide unique opportunities for senior members and decision makers\u00a0from event management industry, event organizers industry, agencies and associations, NGOs, etc to network, co-create new ideas, exchange experiences and find out about the latest trends and prospects for the meetings, incentives, conferences and events sectors.\nAmong the high profile speakers confirmed are Elie Rizk, CEO MICE Arabia, President, Lebanese Exhibitions & Conferences Associaton; Lara Maggiore, Head of Global Marketing and Brand, Expo 2015 Milan; and Thomas Ovesen, COO, Done Events.\nMICE Middle East Forum\u00a0is organised by\u00a0Pinnacle Middle East.\nThe post MICE Middle East Forum 2015 to be held on 7th October appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.", "date_published": "2015-09-21T13:28:49+02:00", "date_modified": "2016-12-30T11:17:00+01:00", "author": { "name": "Mirjana Novitovic", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/author/officebs/", "avatar": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/slika-.jpg" }, "image": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/DUBAI-Downtown-Dubai.jpg", "tags": [ "dubai", "MICE", "MICE Middle East Forum 2015", "News and events" ] }, { "id": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/how-to-become-a-premier-destination-for-events-meetings-and-conferences/", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/how-to-become-a-premier-destination-for-events-meetings-and-conferences/", "title": "How to become a premier destination for events, meetings and conferences?", "content_html": "Dubai\u2019s hospitality sector welcomed 11.6 million\u00a0guests in 2014, while revenues went up by nearly 10 percent, with total revenues\u00a0reaching $6.5 billion.
\nThe goal of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing is to attract\u00a020 millions of visitors until 2020, and to become most visited city in the world.
On this occasion, we had a pleasure\u00a0to talk to Mr Steen Jakobsen, the director\u00a0of the Dubai Business Events,\u00a0the official convention bureau for\u00a0Dubai.
\nPrior to joining the Dubai Convention\u00a0Bureau, Steen was a director of the\u00a0Copenhagen Convention Bureau for\u00a08 years. Steen is actively engaged in\u00a0the global meeting industry. He has\u00a0served on the Board of Directors of\u00a0International\u00a0Congress & Convention\u00a0Association (ICCA) since 2008.
\nIn 2011, he was Appointed 3rd Vice\u00a0President of ICCA. He has also served\u00a0on the Board of Directors of Green\u00a0Meeting\u00a0Industry Council (GMIC).
\nFrom 2003 \u2013 2007, Steen was chair\u00a0of BestCities Global Alliance and today\u00a0he serves on the Board of Directors\u00a0of BestCities Global Alliance.
1. When you say Dubai, the first thing\u00a0that crosses your mind is – luxury.\u00a0Where is the place of business events\u00a0and meetings in that story?
\nIt\u2019s no secret that Dubai is a destination\u00a0of choice for those seeking luxury\u00a0and glamour, but the city is keen\u00a0to show the world it also offers great\u00a0value to business and leisure tourists\u00a0alike.
\nDubai as a city is ever evolving, and\u00a0is actively moving beyond the superlatives\u00a0to establish itself as a vibrant\u00a0destination with a quality and\u00a0diverse\u00a0tourism offer and a range\u00a0of attractions to suit every type of\u00a0traveler.
\nOur tourism stakeholders\u00a0at present are making a big push to\u00a0build more mid-market hotels and\u00a0attractions in the city, and by doing\u00a0so, Dubai is maturing into its role\u00a0as a global city that is as welcoming\u00a0as it is accessible.
From hotels\u00a0to meetings venues and transport\u00a0options, the emirate is keen to show\u00a0it maintains world-class standards\u00a0in every category that it caters to,\u00a0from seven-star luxury to affordable\u00a0three-star value. In order for Dubai\u00a0to become a truly international city,\u00a0we need to attract more and more\u00a0visitors with a class-leading and wide\u00a0ranging offer for all budgets.
\n![\"Business](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Business-Events_DIFC_Couple-walking-and-talking.jpg\")
At present Dubai\u2019s infrastructure is\u00a0such that doing business in, and from\u00a0the city is easy. There are hundreds\u00a0of hotels which offer a plethora of\u00a0flexible business facilities \u2013 whether\u00a0that\u2019s simply a meeting room for 10\u00a0people or a convention for tens of\u00a0thousands.
\nAnd of course, this is all supported\u00a0with the expansive facilities offered\u00a0at the Dubai World Trade Centre \u00a0–\u00a0the host for over 50 per cent of all exhibitions\u00a0in the Middle East region.
\n2. Do you have strategy for attracting\u00a0meetings and events in a way to make\u00a0it more achievable? What are the main\u00a0markets for Dubai, when we talk about\u00a0it as a meeting destination?
\nAs the city\u2019s official convention bureau,\u00a0Dubai Business Events promotes\u00a0Dubai\u2019s business events offer\u00a0through a number of different activities,\u00a0and most recently began hosting\u00a0large scale study missions that\u00a0regularly bring international decision –\u00a0makers to the city so we can\u00a0showcase everything we offer.
\nThis strategy allows people who are\u00a0well placed to recommend Dubai\u00a0as a destination for major events to\u00a0meet with potential partners from\u00a0the public and private sectors and\u00a0get a feel for the energy in the city.
\nBringing decision makers into Dubai\u00a0and showing them the city first-hand\u00a0is an important part of our strategy\u00a0as it also dispels a lot of misconceptions\u00a0about the emirate quickly and\u00a0effectively, such as worries that Dubai\u00a0is too expensive for delegates or\u00a0that the city is somehow unsafe because\u00a0it is in the Middle East.
\nAnother equally important component\u00a0of our strategy is to go abroad\u00a0to meet decision makers and we do\u00a0this by participating in trade shows,\u00a0sales missions, and client workshops\u00a0in key markets around the world. In\u00a0addition, we have offices in four regions\u00a0\u2013 London, New York, Sao Paulo\u00a0and China \u2013 in Beijing and Shanghai.
\nThese offices are important in\u00a0terms of reaching out to decision makers\u00a0as well. As for where events\u00a0come\u00a0from, it is safe to say they\u00a0come\u00a0from all over the world and\u00a0many are global conferences initiated\u00a0by associations usually based in\u00a0Europe or North America.
In terms of volume, however, the\u00a0majority\u00a0of delegates come from the\u00a0GCC, followed by delegates from India\u00a0and increasingly from Africa.
\n3. What do you consider as main advantages\u00a0of Dubai for events and business\u00a0tourism?
\nIn terms of infrastructure, Dubai has\u00a0excellent air connectivity with two\u00a0international\u00a0airports connecting\u00a0hundreds\u00a0of destinations across six\u00a0continents.
\nHotels abound and meeting\u00a0venues\u00a0range from the cavernous\u00a0halls that\u00a0make up the Dubai World Trade Centre\u00a0(DWTC) to the numerous ballrooms\u00a0and meeting rooms that at\u00a0are present at almost every hotel in\u00a0the city.
\nIn addition, the local transport options\u00a0include the metro, taxis, buses\u00a0and chauffeured cars, as well\u00a0as the recently launched tram network,\u00a0making it extremely easy to\u00a0get around.
\n![\"\"](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/DSC_4298.jpg\")
To cater to all kinds of visitors, Dubai\u00a0is increasing its already world-class\u00a0destination offering across attractions, infrastructure and services to\u00a0enhance the overall visitor experience.
\nThe emirate is also working to\u00a0leverage Dubai\u2019s position as the business\u00a0hub of the region and further\u00a0highlight Dubai\u2019s credentials as a\u00a0global business destination.
To do so, it is increasing coordination\u00a0across stakeholders,\u00a0improving\u00a0the current business\u00a0tourism offer\u00a0by grow existing events into mega\u00a0events, creating\u00a0new events in identified\u00a0sector gaps\u00a0and making Dubai a\u00a0dynamic hub for major conventions.
\nFurthermore, Dubai is increasing business\u00a0tourists\u2019 use of leisure touch\u00a0points and is encouraging visitors\u00a0to\u00a0extend the length of their stays and\u00a0return for leisure trips.
\nThe emirate\u2019s philosophy\u00a0in this regard\u00a0is that today\u2019s business visitor\u00a0is tomorrow\u2019s leisure\u00a0tourist.
\nFinally, the city is aiming to maintain\u00a0and increase the amount of independent\u00a0business travelers by adding\u00a0value to their visits, and making sure\u00a0that Dubai is the easiest place to do\u00a0business.
\n4. Can you tell us more about Dubai Association\u00a0Center?
\nDubai Association Centre (DAC) is a legal\u00a0entity which licenses the formation\u00a0of non-profit, professional associations\u00a0and trade bodies in Dubai.
\nIt was founded by Dubai Tourism,\u00a0the Dubai Chamber of Commerce &\u00a0Industry (DCCI), and the Dubai World\u00a0Trade Centre (DWTC) and will help\u00a0drive\u00a0the next stage in the emirate\u2019s\u00a0development as a center for the global\u00a0meetings industry. The establishment\u00a0of DAC is also part of a long\u00a0term plan to attract international\u00a0associations\u00a0to set up shop in the region\u00a0and consequently strengthen\u00a0Dubai\u2019s role as a knowledge hub across\u00a0all economic sectors.
\nWe have\u00a0successfully registered 12\u00a0internationally associations over the\u00a0past one year since the center was\u00a0formed, and are looking forward to\u00a0welcoming dozens more in the coming\u00a0period. Dubai\u2019s aspirations to\u00a0grow from a regional business and\u00a0events hub to an international one\u00a0will be further strengthened by a strong\u00a0knowledge economy which, in\u00a0turn, will naturally bring economic\u00a0benefits to the emirate.
\nDubai\u2019s geographic position between\u00a0cities such as New York or Washington\u00a0in the US, Brussels in Europe and\u00a0Singapore in Asia means it is uniquely\u00a0positioned to offer associations a\u00a0hub to serve Middle Eastern markets\u00a0as well as those in Africa, South Asia\u00a0and the CIS States (Commonwealth\u00a0of Independent States).
\nAll this, of\u00a0course, will steadily add value to the\u00a0emirate\u2019s meetings industry as many\u00a0more international associations with\u00a0offices in Dubai would be willing to\u00a0host their events here once they get\u00a0a feel for everything we have to offer\u00a0as a premier business events hub.
\n5. What was the most challenging\u00a0event for Dubai Business Events so far,\u00a0in terms of bidding and in terms of realization?
\nWe haven\u2019t had a \u201dmost challenging\u201d\u00a0event as such, but do face challenges\u00a0as a destination when bidding for\u00a0events.
\nA key challenge for us is changing potential visitors\u2019 perceptions\u00a0of Dubai.
![\"Metro\"](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/DSC_4376-High.jpg\")
The emirate is known\u00a0globally\u00a0as a world-class destination,\u00a0a place of record breaking firsts,\u00a0where\u00a0anything can happen and where\u00a0it often does.
\nWhat many people who haven\u2019t experienced\u00a0Dubai don\u2019t realize is, that\u00a0beyond the aspirational aspect, how\u00a0accessible it is from a logistical and\u00a0budgetary point of view for both leisure\u00a0and business travelers.
\nAlso, given our location,\u00a0we always\u00a0need to ensure that we are consistently\u00a0relaying what a stable and open\u00a0destination Dubai\u00a0is, with over 200\u00a0na\u00adtionalities living and working in\u00a0the emirate.
\nTo address these\u00a0concerns, all our\u00a0communications, be it direct liaison\u00a0during the bid process to wider communications,\u00a0reflect the diversity\u00a0and depth of our offer and the benefits\u00a0of Dubai as a holistic business\u00a0destination.
\n6. Your favorite dish in Dubai?
\nDubai has an amazing array of restaurants.\u00a0A visiting delegate would be\u00a0hard pressed to see even a small\u00a0fraction\u00a0of the best places this city\u00a0has to offer. With that being said,\u00a0choosing\u00a0a favorite dish is extremely\u00a0hard. La Serre Bistro & Boulangerie\u00a0at Vida Downtown Dubai hotel, however,\u00a0has an incredible breakfast\u00a0menu, which includes a delectable\u00a0scrambled eggs with smoked salmon.
\nThe post How to become a premier destination for events, meetings and conferences? appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.
\n", "content_text": "Dubai is known as a fastest growing destination in the world, running towards\u00a0the future. Tourism is playing very important role, strongly implemented into\u00a0overall economy and lifestyle. \nDubai\u2019s hospitality sector welcomed 11.6 million\u00a0guests in 2014, while revenues went up by nearly 10 percent, with total revenues\u00a0reaching $6.5 billion.\nThe goal of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing is to attract\u00a020 millions of visitors until 2020, and to become most visited city in the world.\nMr Steen Jakobsen\nOn this occasion, we had a pleasure\u00a0to talk to Mr Steen Jakobsen, the director\u00a0of the Dubai Business Events,\u00a0the official convention bureau for\u00a0Dubai.\nPrior to joining the Dubai Convention\u00a0Bureau, Steen was a director of the\u00a0Copenhagen Convention Bureau for\u00a08 years. Steen is actively engaged in\u00a0the global meeting industry. He has\u00a0served on the Board of Directors of\u00a0International\u00a0Congress & Convention\u00a0Association (ICCA) since 2008.\nIn 2011, he was Appointed 3rd Vice\u00a0President of ICCA. He has also served\u00a0on the Board of Directors of Green\u00a0Meeting\u00a0Industry Council (GMIC).\nFrom 2003 \u2013 2007, Steen was chair\u00a0of BestCities Global Alliance and today\u00a0he serves on the Board of Directors\u00a0of BestCities Global Alliance.\n1. When you say Dubai, the first thing\u00a0that crosses your mind is – luxury.\u00a0Where is the place of business events\u00a0and meetings in that story?\nIt\u2019s no secret that Dubai is a destination\u00a0of choice for those seeking luxury\u00a0and glamour, but the city is keen\u00a0to show the world it also offers great\u00a0value to business and leisure tourists\u00a0alike.\nThe emirate\u2019s philosophy\u00a0is that today\u2019s business\u00a0visitor is tomorrow\u2019s\u00a0leisure tourist.\nDubai as a city is ever evolving, and\u00a0is actively moving beyond the superlatives\u00a0to establish itself as a vibrant\u00a0destination with a quality and\u00a0diverse\u00a0tourism offer and a range\u00a0of attractions to suit every type of\u00a0traveler.\nOur tourism stakeholders\u00a0at present are making a big push to\u00a0build more mid-market hotels and\u00a0attractions in the city, and by doing\u00a0so, Dubai is maturing into its role\u00a0as a global city that is as welcoming\u00a0as it is accessible. \nFrom hotels\u00a0to meetings venues and transport\u00a0options, the emirate is keen to show\u00a0it maintains world-class standards\u00a0in every category that it caters to,\u00a0from seven-star luxury to affordable\u00a0three-star value. In order for Dubai\u00a0to become a truly international city,\u00a0we need to attract more and more\u00a0visitors with a class-leading and wide\u00a0ranging offer for all budgets.\nBusiness Events\nAt present Dubai\u2019s infrastructure is\u00a0such that doing business in, and from\u00a0the city is easy. There are hundreds\u00a0of hotels which offer a plethora of\u00a0flexible business facilities \u2013 whether\u00a0that\u2019s simply a meeting room for 10\u00a0people or a convention for tens of\u00a0thousands.\nAnd of course, this is all supported\u00a0with the expansive facilities offered\u00a0at the Dubai World Trade Centre \u00a0–\u00a0the host for over 50 per cent of all exhibitions\u00a0in the Middle East region.\n2. Do you have strategy for attracting\u00a0meetings and events in a way to make\u00a0it more achievable? What are the main\u00a0markets for Dubai, when we talk about\u00a0it as a meeting destination?\nAs the city\u2019s official convention bureau,\u00a0Dubai Business Events promotes\u00a0Dubai\u2019s business events offer\u00a0through a number of different activities,\u00a0and most recently began hosting\u00a0large scale study missions that\u00a0regularly bring international decision –\u00a0makers to the city so we can\u00a0showcase everything we offer.\nThis strategy allows people who are\u00a0well placed to recommend Dubai\u00a0as a destination for major events to\u00a0meet with potential partners from\u00a0the public and private sectors and\u00a0get a feel for the energy in the city.\nDubai is maturing into its\u00a0role as a global city that\u00a0is as welcoming as it\u00a0is accessible.\nBringing decision makers into Dubai\u00a0and showing them the city first-hand\u00a0is an important part of our strategy\u00a0as it also dispels a lot of misconceptions\u00a0about the emirate quickly and\u00a0effectively, such as worries that Dubai\u00a0is too expensive for delegates or\u00a0that the city is somehow unsafe because\u00a0it is in the Middle East.\nAnother equally important component\u00a0of our strategy is to go abroad\u00a0to meet decision makers and we do\u00a0this by participating in trade shows,\u00a0sales missions, and client workshops\u00a0in key markets around the world. In\u00a0addition, we have offices in four regions\u00a0\u2013 London, New York, Sao Paulo\u00a0and China \u2013 in Beijing and Shanghai.\nThese offices are important in\u00a0terms of reaching out to decision makers\u00a0as well. As for where events\u00a0come\u00a0from, it is safe to say they\u00a0come\u00a0from all over the world and\u00a0many are global conferences initiated\u00a0by associations usually based in\u00a0Europe or North America.\nIn terms of volume, however, the\u00a0majority\u00a0of delegates come from the\u00a0GCC, followed by delegates from India\u00a0and increasingly from Africa.\n3. What do you consider as main advantages\u00a0of Dubai for events and business\u00a0tourism?\nIn terms of infrastructure, Dubai has\u00a0excellent air connectivity with two\u00a0international\u00a0airports connecting\u00a0hundreds\u00a0of destinations across six\u00a0continents.\nHotels abound and meeting\u00a0venues\u00a0range from the cavernous\u00a0halls that\u00a0make up the Dubai World Trade Centre\u00a0(DWTC) to the numerous ballrooms\u00a0and meeting rooms that at\u00a0are present at almost every hotel in\u00a0the city.\nIn addition, the local transport options\u00a0include the metro, taxis, buses\u00a0and chauffeured cars, as well\u00a0as the recently launched tram network,\u00a0making it extremely easy to\u00a0get around.\n\nTo cater to all kinds of visitors, Dubai\u00a0is increasing its already world-class\u00a0destination offering across attractions, infrastructure and services to\u00a0enhance the overall visitor experience.\nThe emirate is also working to\u00a0leverage Dubai\u2019s position as the business\u00a0hub of the region and further\u00a0highlight Dubai\u2019s credentials as a\u00a0global business destination.\nTo do so, it is increasing coordination\u00a0across stakeholders,\u00a0improving\u00a0the current business\u00a0tourism offer\u00a0by grow existing events into mega\u00a0events, creating\u00a0new events in identified\u00a0sector gaps\u00a0and making Dubai a\u00a0dynamic hub for major conventions.\nFurthermore, Dubai is increasing business\u00a0tourists\u2019 use of leisure touch\u00a0points and is encouraging visitors\u00a0to\u00a0extend the length of their stays and\u00a0return for leisure trips.\nThe emirate\u2019s philosophy\u00a0in this regard\u00a0is that today\u2019s business visitor\u00a0is tomorrow\u2019s leisure\u00a0tourist.\nFinally, the city is aiming to maintain\u00a0and increase the amount of independent\u00a0business travelers by adding\u00a0value to their visits, and making sure\u00a0that Dubai is the easiest place to do\u00a0business.\n4. Can you tell us more about Dubai Association\u00a0Center?\nDubai Association Centre (DAC) is a legal\u00a0entity which licenses the formation\u00a0of non-profit, professional associations\u00a0and trade bodies in Dubai.\nIt was founded by Dubai Tourism,\u00a0the Dubai Chamber of Commerce &\u00a0Industry (DCCI), and the Dubai World\u00a0Trade Centre (DWTC) and will help\u00a0drive\u00a0the next stage in the emirate\u2019s\u00a0development as a center for the global\u00a0meetings industry. The establishment\u00a0of DAC is also part of a long\u00a0term plan to attract international\u00a0associations\u00a0to set up shop in the region\u00a0and consequently strengthen\u00a0Dubai\u2019s role as a knowledge hub across\u00a0all economic sectors.\nWhat many people who\u00a0haven\u2019t experienced Dubai\u00a0don\u2019t realize is, that beyond\u00a0the aspirational aspect,\u00a0how accessible it is from\u00a0a logistical and budgetary\u00a0point of view for both leisure\u00a0and business travelers.\nWe have\u00a0successfully registered 12\u00a0internationally associations over the\u00a0past one year since the center was\u00a0formed, and are looking forward to\u00a0welcoming dozens more in the coming\u00a0period. Dubai\u2019s aspirations to\u00a0grow from a regional business and\u00a0events hub to an international one\u00a0will be further strengthened by a strong\u00a0knowledge economy which, in\u00a0turn, will naturally bring economic\u00a0benefits to the emirate.\nDubai\u2019s geographic position between\u00a0cities such as New York or Washington\u00a0in the US, Brussels in Europe and\u00a0Singapore in Asia means it is uniquely\u00a0positioned to offer associations a\u00a0hub to serve Middle Eastern markets\u00a0as well as those in Africa, South Asia\u00a0and the CIS States (Commonwealth\u00a0of Independent States).\nAll this, of\u00a0course, will steadily add value to the\u00a0emirate\u2019s meetings industry as many\u00a0more international associations with\u00a0offices in Dubai would be willing to\u00a0host their events here once they get\u00a0a feel for everything we have to offer\u00a0as a premier business events hub.\n5. What was the most challenging\u00a0event for Dubai Business Events so far,\u00a0in terms of bidding and in terms of realization?\nWe haven\u2019t had a \u201dmost challenging\u201d\u00a0event as such, but do face challenges\u00a0as a destination when bidding for\u00a0events.\nA key challenge for us is changing potential visitors\u2019 perceptions\u00a0of Dubai.\nMetro\nThe emirate is known\u00a0globally\u00a0as a world-class destination,\u00a0a place of record breaking firsts,\u00a0where\u00a0anything can happen and where\u00a0it often does.\nWhat many people who haven\u2019t experienced\u00a0Dubai don\u2019t realize is, that\u00a0beyond the aspirational aspect, how\u00a0accessible it is from a logistical and\u00a0budgetary point of view for both leisure\u00a0and business travelers.\nAlso, given our location,\u00a0we always\u00a0need to ensure that we are consistently\u00a0relaying what a stable and open\u00a0destination Dubai\u00a0is, with over 200\u00a0na\u00adtionalities living and working in\u00a0the emirate.\nWe have successfully registered\u00a012 internationally\u00a0associations over the past\u00a0one year since the center\u00a0was formed, and are\u00a0looking\u00a0forward to welcoming\u00a0dozens more in the\u00a0coming period.\nTo address these\u00a0concerns, all our\u00a0communications, be it direct liaison\u00a0during the bid process to wider communications,\u00a0reflect the diversity\u00a0and depth of our offer and the benefits\u00a0of Dubai as a holistic business\u00a0destination.\n6. Your favorite dish in Dubai?\nDubai has an amazing array of restaurants.\u00a0A visiting delegate would be\u00a0hard pressed to see even a small\u00a0fraction\u00a0of the best places this city\u00a0has to offer. With that being said,\u00a0choosing\u00a0a favorite dish is extremely\u00a0hard. La Serre Bistro & Boulangerie\u00a0at Vida Downtown Dubai hotel, however,\u00a0has an incredible breakfast\u00a0menu, which includes a delectable\u00a0scrambled eggs with smoked salmon.\nThe post How to become a premier destination for events, meetings and conferences? appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.", "date_published": "2015-07-10T14:14:44+02:00", "date_modified": "2017-12-18T13:52:22+01:00", "author": { "name": "Miona Milic", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/author/miona/", "avatar": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20240224-WA0003-e1728981138373.jpg" }, "image": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Emirates-Air-Line-3-HI.jpg", "tags": [ "convention buerau", "dubai", "dubai business event", "meetings destination", "Convention Bureaus" ] }, { "id": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/is-dubai-exactly-what-you-thought/", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/is-dubai-exactly-what-you-thought/", "title": "Is Dubai exactly what you thought?", "content_html": "I used to think of Dubai as brand new, expensive, and luxurious destination. A city with modern skyscrapers miraculously rising from the desert, a large shopping center, boasting a fantastic fountain like the one in front of Hotel Bellagio in Las Vegas, and that sail-shaped seven-star hotel on the beach (Burj Al Arab). For some reason, I expected the food to be finely served but bland.
\nBecause of the cultural differences,\u00a0I expected everyone in Dubai to go\u00a0around minding their own business,\u00a0scarcely communicating and avoiding\u00a0eye contact. In short, I expected\u00a0to find a highly luxurious but uninspiring\u00a0city.
\nThen, at the invitation of Dubai Business\u00a0Events, I visited Dubai. At the\u00a0start of the year, my hosts organized\u00a0a Fam trip for one hundred leading\u00a0decision-makers and major media\u00a0from the congress and business tourism\u00a0sector in Europe.
\n[quote_box_right]Dubai will host World\u00a0Expo 2020, which will last 6\u00a0months and is expected to\u00a0garner 33,2 million visitors.[/quote_box_right]
\nThe event\u00a0was part of the current strategy of\u00a0promoting the city as a \u201cmust experience\u201d\u00a0destination that could host\u00a0conferences, meetings, and corporate\u00a0and incentive events of various\u00a0sizes.
\nDubai = luxury
\nWhen we say Dubai, we think luxury\u00a0and this is absolutely true. Dubai is\u00a0one of the top luxury destinations in\u00a0the world. A city with a multitude of\u00a0hotels, grandiose skyscrapers, and\u00a0buildings\u00a0whose architecture and\u00a0beauty\u00a0take one\u2019s breath away and\u00a0stand as superior tributes to civil engineering.
\n![\"Ski](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/FAMILY-Ski-Dubai-Penguins.jpg\")
Everything in Dubai is dedicated to\u00a0luxury, comfort, and the \u201cWow\u201d effect,\u00a0so at least once a day you are bound\u00a0to be astounded, thinking \u201cWow!\u201d,\u00a0wondering how they have managed\u00a0to build these things and marveling\u00a0at all the things they have.
\nLet\u2019s dig under the surface some\u00a0more.
People
\nWhat most impressed and positively\u00a0surprised me is the energy and passion\u00a0the people who live and work\u00a0there invest in their city.
\nThey put so much effort in making\u00a0sure everything functions well, that\u00a0you feel welcome wherever you go\u00a0and that you get help whenever\u00a0you need it even though you are a\u00a0complete stranger to them and they\u00a0have nothing to gain by it.
\nTheir positive energy is so evident\u00a0that you can\u2019t but think it\u2019s what\u00a0built the city and makes the oil\u00a0they found seem like a secondary\u00a0resource\u00a0that only made the attainment of their goals and long-envisaged\u00a0dreams somewhat easier.
\nThe working force in Dubai largely\u00a0comes from India and Pakistan but\u00a0people come to work here from all\u00a0over the world. As a result, the most\u00a0widely spoken languages are Hindu,\u00a0Arabic, and English, respectively.
[quote_box_left]No destination will seem\u00a0incredible if the people we\u00a0meet and communicate\u00a0with there don\u2019t add to\u00a0this feeling.[/quote_box_left]
\nA man from Pakistan, whom I met\u00a0while looking for the shuttle bus to\u00a0my hotel, confirmed this. He also\u00a0offered to call my hotel and inquire\u00a0about the schedule of the shuttle\u00a0bus and invited me to wait in the\u00a0comfort of his air-conditioned minibus\u00a0until it came.
\n![\"In](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/DSC_0475_zps6yukc4dx.jpg\")
People like myself, arriving from the\u00a0uncertainty of another corner of the\u00a0world, are immediately assailed by\u00a0dark thoughts and questions about\u00a0why anybody would do that? Because\u00a0he is humane? Because he is\u00a0happy and grateful to the country\u00a0that gave him the possibility of living\u00a0a peaceful life? Because he believes\u00a0the law is equal for everyone\u00a0in the Emirates, ordinary people and\u00a0sheikhs alike?
\nI wanted to laugh at this. It sounds\u00a0like pure science fiction. But to them\u00a0it\u2019s reality. Why? Because there is no\u00a0corruption. There is no need for it.
\nThat\u2019s why.
According to Interpol, Dubai is the\u00a0safest city in the world and a report\u00a0from April 2014 indicates that UAE\u00a0have the lowest violent crime rate\u00a0in the world.
\nThe fact that the police drive Aston \u00a0Martins, Lamborghinis, McLarens,\u00a0Ferraris and similar cars must in itself\u00a0act as a deterrent for most potential\u00a0perpetrators.
\nHistory
\nIf you are looking for a destination\u00a0with\u00a0a rich past, historical monuments,\u00a0museums and architecture from
\npast ages, Dubai might not live up to\u00a0your expectations.
\nOn the other hand, it is making every\u00a0effort to become the center of modern\u00a0culture and art.
![\"Arabian](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/DUBAI-Madinat-Jumeirah-Exterior-View.jpg\")
The Dubai Opera, proclaimed the\u00a0city\u2019s\u00a0new cultural icon, is a multifunctional,\u00a0centrally-located facility
\nfor opera, theater, art exhibitions,\u00a0concerts,\u00a0and sports events. It can\u00a0accommodate\u00a02,000 people and will\u00a0be opened to the public in 2016.
The history of Dubai is not as long as\u00a0it is interesting.\u00a0In 1833, led by the Maktoum family,\u00a0some 800 members of the Bani Yas\u00a0tribe who had previously declared\u00a0independence\u00a0from Abu Dhabi settled\u00a0on the banks of the Dubai creek.
\nThis natural port soon turned out to\u00a0be a good strategic position, enabling\u00a0trade, fishing and, particularly,\u00a0pearling.
Chinese involvement in the international\u00a0pearl market with the invention\u00a0of artificial pearls in 1926 and\u00a0the Great Depression of 1929 forced\u00a0Sheikh Saeed to find alternate sources\u00a0of income. Oil was found in 1966,\u00a0starting a new period of prosperity\u00a0for Dubai.
\nIn order to avoid being solely dependent\u00a0on oil, whose reserves are\u00a0expected\u00a0to start dwindling in a few\u00a0years, Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum\u00a0made a wise decision.
\nThe income from oil was invested\u00a0in the development of Dubai as the\u00a0world\u2019s future tourist and business\u00a0center.
Large-scale construction made Dubai\u00a0the fastest growing city in the\u00a0world. At the moment, the contribution\u00a0of oil in total national income\u00a0is minimal. Today tourism is one of\u00a0the main branches of the industry.
\nImpressive.
\nTourism in the superlative
\nPeople are attracted by the greatest,\u00a0the best, the highest, the longest,\u00a0the most modern\u2026. and this is exactly\u00a0what Dubai offered them.
\nBy engaging the best architects and\u00a0experts of the world, this city moved\u00a0architectural boundaries and broke records at every step of its development.
\nIn Dubai you can see the highest\u00a0building in the world, Burj Khalifa,\u00a0standing 828 m above the city,\u00a0with the world\u2019s highest restaurant\u00a0At.mosphere on the 122nd floor.
[quote_box_left]When they decided to\u00a0focus on tourism all they\u00a0had was desert and oil.\u00a0What could they do to\u00a0attract tourists?[/quote_box_left]
\nThe exceptional Armani Hotel, of\u00a0which there are only two in the world\u00a0(the other one is in Milan), also\u00a0forms part of Burj Khalifa.
\nOne of the first architectural wonders\u00a0in Dubai was the magnificent sailshaped\u00a0hotel Burj Al Arab, known\u00a0as the Seven Star building and one\u00a0of the city\u2019s main symbols providing\u00a0\u201cthe best the world has to offer\u201d.
\nFeel free to use your imagination\u00a0to understand what this means \u2013\u00a0you won\u2019t be wrong.
Dubai Mall, the largest shopping\u00a0mall in the world, is the most popular\u00a0attraction in Dubai.
\n![\"Madinat](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/DSC_0901_zpsb4jw1o7q.jpg\")
The artificial lake in front of Burj\u00a0Khalifa and the Dubai Mall holds the\u00a0highest fountain in the world, the\u00a0Dubai Fountain, which shoots water\u00a0up to 150 m (equivalent to 50 floors)\u00a0and is 275 m long. The fountain was\u00a0designed by the architects of the\u00a0Bellagio Fountain in Las Vegas.
\nThe largest artificial island in the\u00a0world, the Palm Jumeirah, palm-shaped\u00a0and visible from outer space,\u00a0has become a favorite resort of the\u00a0wealthy, with its luxury apartments,\u00a0residences, private villas, and beaches.
\nThis resort includes eight magnificent\u00a0hotels with Atlantis the Palm\u00a0as probably the most spectacular,\u00a0holding a central position a top the\u00a0crescent of the Palm and offering a\u00a0breathtaking view. This grand, multifaceted\u00a0hotel gives you a chance to\u00a0swim and play with the dolphins in\u00a0the Dolphin Bay and incorporates a\u00a0lagoon with 65,000 sea animals, 700\u00a0m of beaches, the Aquaventure water\u00a0park and much more.
Two more palm-shaped islands are\u00a0under construction and another island\u00a0shaped like a map of the world.
\nThere are many more buildings in\u00a0Dubai that will literally take your\u00a0breath away, like the Madinat Jumeirah\u00a0hotel complex modeled after\u00a0an Arab fortress and connected\u00a0by a channel only crossed by boat,\u00a0earning it the name of Arab Venice.
\nMeydan City, incorporating the longest\u00a0racecourse in the world, running\u00a01.7 km long, and a hotel overlooking\u00a0the racecourse and tennis academy,\u00a0is home to many thoroughbred\u00a0horses from the entire world.
\n![\"Meydan](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/DSCN4443.jpg\")
Every year, this resort is host to the\u00a0Dubai World Cup, the most opulent\u00a0horse races in the world, with a $ 30\u00a0million prize fund.
\nThis year Kylie Minogue will be revving\u00a0up the entertainment at the\u00a0racecourse, while last year Jennifer\u00a0Lopez performed here.
\nActivities
\nYou can do whatever you like in Dubai.\u00a0A desert safari is definitely something\u00a0you shouldn\u2019t miss with campfire\u00a0dinners under the stars, flying\u00a0over the desert in a balloon, riding\u00a0camels, driving in buggies and jeeps\u00a0over the dunes, falconry (training\u00a0falcons and hunting with them), and\u00a0sandboarding down the dunes.
\n[quote_box_right]Believe it or not, Dubai is\u00a0not all about shopping!\u00a0You can relax and entertain\u00a0yourself in many\u00a0other ways.[/quote_box_right]
\nYou can also go skiing or skating, play\u00a0golf on first class terrains, play tennis,\u00a0go bowling, karting, or visit the\u00a0Ferrari Theme Park. Water activities\u00a0include scuba diving, fishing, sailing,\u00a0visits to the aqua parks, swimming\u00a0with dolphins at the Dubai Dolphinarium.
\n![\"Desert](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Adventure_Desert-Safari_Car-on-dune-sunset.jpg\")
There are also horse, camel, and\u00a0car races to watch (the latter at the\u00a0Dubai Autodrome) or you can play\u00a0camel polo (Dubai Polo Equestrian\u00a0Club)\u2026 or you can watch the Dubai\u00a0Tennis Cup.
\nSurprisingly, despite its desert environment,\u00a0Dubai has several large\u00a0green parks offering lots of activities\u00a0and the Children\u2019s City, the Dubai\u00a0International Academy City \u2013 DIAC,\u00a0the Global City and much more.
\nLegoland is currently under construction\u00a0(to be completed in 2016) as\u00a0well as the Bollywood Theme Park\u00a0(whose first phase will be completed\u00a0in 2016).
\nOne thing is sure \u2013 you won\u2019t be bored\u00a0in Dubai.
Only for the rich?
\nDubai is paradise for the wealthy.\u00a0Everything revolves around luxury,\u00a0comfort and satisfying every possible,\u00a0and elsewhere perhaps impossible,\u00a0need and desire.
\nWhat makes this city interesting for\u00a0us mortals is its focus on individual\u00a0and group tourism for visitors of more\u00a0modest means.
\nThere are over 200 of 3 and 4 star\u00a0hotels in Dubai, as well as excellent\u00a0apartments. Dubai also plans to build\u00a0more mid scale hotels with the\u00a0idea of accommodating 20 million\u00a0tourists by the 2020, which is twice\u00a0as many as today.
\nDubai also has a good public transport\u00a0system, allowing you to reach\u00a0all the vital parts of the city by subway\u00a0or bus and even taking the taxi\u00a0is not expensive.
\nIt would cost approximately 50 EUR,\u00a0for instance, to watch the horse races\u00a0at the Dubai World Cup in Meydan.
\nAn unforgettable, world-class\u00a0event. The same amount would be\u00a0enough to drive in a jeep and experience\u00a0the Desert Safari.
![\"Camel](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/DSC_0576_zps2hawrh0v.jpg\")
Fast food sold in street shops, both\u00a0tasty and safe, costs just a few euros.\u00a0You can try shawarma (the local\u00a0version of the burrito, taco, or gyros)\u00a0or crunchy, spicy Indian nuggets often\u00a0made with mashed potato, pepper\u00a0flakes, and pepper paste.
\nHere I have to add how tasty, fresh,\u00a0fantastically prepared, seasoned,\u00a0and varied the food in Dubai is. I was\u00a0a little doubtful at first, if you remember\u00a0the first part of this article.
[quote_box_left]Dubai\u2019s multinational character\u00a0offers a wide choice of\u00a0cuisines\u00a0and places to eat,\u00a0from\u00a0Michelin star-rated restaurants\u00a0to traditional\u00a0food\u00a0shops in the streets.[/quote_box_left]
\nMy prejudices crumbled before Hospitality\u00a0Catering by the Dubai World\u00a0Trade Center, whose culinary wonders\u00a0and working atmosphere we\u00a0were\u00a0able to experience at the invitation\u00a0of Chef Harald Oberender, Director\u00a0of Kitchens at the Dubai World\u00a0Trade Center.
\nHere we had the pleasure to have lunch\u00a0in their Staff Dining Room and to\u00a0try some of their culinary masterpieces,\u00a0which left no doubt in our minds\u00a0about why most royal families\u00a0choose\u00a0these kitchens to cater for\u00a0their\u00a0weddings and special events.
\nWe have experienced in practice, how\u00a0the extraordinary decoration and explosion\u00a0of tastes, turning an ordinary\u00a0room into royal one.
Incentive in Dubai? Oh, yes
\nNow for a brief look at the possibilities\u00a0and costs of business travel and\u00a0event organization in Dubai.
\nThe Dubai World Trade Center (WTC)\u00a0is the main exhibition and congress\u00a0facility spreading over more than a\u00a0million square meters and incorporating\u00a0event\u00a0halls accommodating\u00a0from 500 to as many as 12,000 people,\u00a0which makes it especially interesting\u00a0for large concerts and sports\u00a0events.
\nThere are many hotels within walking\u00a0distance of the WTC that can accommodate\u00a0event participants during\u00a0their stay.
\n![\"Management](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/DSC_9813_zps7g02tg2t.jpg\")
Only a few steps away\u00a0from WTC are\u00a0Ibis 2 and 3 star hotels,\u00a0Novotel Hotel\u00a0(4 stars) and many more. Room\u00a0prices vary from 60 EUR to 100 EUR,\u00a0in 2 and 4 star hotels, respectively.
\nThe subway station is close,\u00a0ensuring\u00a0quick and easy transportation\u00a0around\u00a0the city.
[quote_box_right]In 2014, Dubai hosted\u00a0the largest incentive trip\u00a0to the Emirates involving\u00a014,500 participants!\u00a0The client was the Chinese\u00a0cosmetics company,\u00a0Nu Skin.[/quote_box_right]
\nEven companies with a modest budget\u00a0can consider Dubai as a possible\u00a0destination for incentive events.
\nFor instance, delegates could be accommodated\u00a0in a modest hotel with\u00a0organized\u00a0sightseeing tours of and\u00a0unforgettable\u00a0dinners in luxury hotels,\u00a0such as the Palace Downtown\u00a0overlooking\u00a0the Dubai Fountain, the\u00a0Madinat Jumeirah or at some other\u00a0extraordinary, breathtaking building.
A trip like this would definitely achieve\u00a0the motivational effect required\u00a0of an incentive trip.
\nAfter visiting Dubai, you will believe\u00a0in miracles. You will also have the\u00a0feeling the future is bright and that\u00a0we are moving towards it with faith,\u00a0positive expectations and the fluttery\u00a0feeling in our stomachs as if we\u00a0were going on our first date.
\nAnd we all need that sometimes,\u00a0don\u2019t we?
The post Is Dubai exactly what you thought? appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.
\n", "content_text": "We often form an opinion about a city or country that we haven\u2019t visited based on the\u00a0influence of media, the experiences of other people, and our personal preferences.\nI used to think of Dubai as brand new, expensive, and luxurious destination. A city with modern skyscrapers miraculously rising from the desert, a large shopping center, boasting a fantastic fountain like the one in front of Hotel Bellagio in Las Vegas, and that sail-shaped seven-star hotel on the beach (Burj Al Arab). For some reason, I expected the food to be finely served but bland.\nBecause of the cultural differences,\u00a0I expected everyone in Dubai to go\u00a0around minding their own business,\u00a0scarcely communicating and avoiding\u00a0eye contact. In short, I expected\u00a0to find a highly luxurious but uninspiring\u00a0city.\nThen, at the invitation of Dubai Business\u00a0Events, I visited Dubai. At the\u00a0start of the year, my hosts organized\u00a0a Fam trip for one hundred leading\u00a0decision-makers and major media\u00a0from the congress and business tourism\u00a0sector in Europe.\n[quote_box_right]Dubai will host World\u00a0Expo 2020, which will last 6\u00a0months and is expected to\u00a0garner 33,2 million visitors.[/quote_box_right]\nThe event\u00a0was part of the current strategy of\u00a0promoting the city as a \u201cmust experience\u201d\u00a0destination that could host\u00a0conferences, meetings, and corporate\u00a0and incentive events of various\u00a0sizes.\nDubai = luxury\nWhen we say Dubai, we think luxury\u00a0and this is absolutely true. Dubai is\u00a0one of the top luxury destinations in\u00a0the world. A city with a multitude of\u00a0hotels, grandiose skyscrapers, and\u00a0buildings\u00a0whose architecture and\u00a0beauty\u00a0take one\u2019s breath away and\u00a0stand as superior tributes to civil engineering.\nSki Dubai – Is that REAL penguin!?\nEverything in Dubai is dedicated to\u00a0luxury, comfort, and the \u201cWow\u201d effect,\u00a0so at least once a day you are bound\u00a0to be astounded, thinking \u201cWow!\u201d,\u00a0wondering how they have managed\u00a0to build these things and marveling\u00a0at all the things they have.\nLet\u2019s dig under the surface some\u00a0more.\nPeople\nWhat most impressed and positively\u00a0surprised me is the energy and passion\u00a0the people who live and work\u00a0there invest in their city.\nThey put so much effort in making\u00a0sure everything functions well, that\u00a0you feel welcome wherever you go\u00a0and that you get help whenever\u00a0you need it even though you are a\u00a0complete stranger to them and they\u00a0have nothing to gain by it.\nTheir positive energy is so evident\u00a0that you can\u2019t but think it\u2019s what\u00a0built the city and makes the oil\u00a0they found seem like a secondary\u00a0resource\u00a0that only made the attainment of their goals and long-envisaged\u00a0dreams somewhat easier.\nThe working force in Dubai largely\u00a0comes from India and Pakistan but\u00a0people come to work here from all\u00a0over the world. As a result, the most\u00a0widely spoken languages are Hindu,\u00a0Arabic, and English, respectively.\n[quote_box_left]No destination will seem\u00a0incredible if the people we\u00a0meet and communicate\u00a0with there don\u2019t add to\u00a0this feeling.[/quote_box_left]\nA man from Pakistan, whom I met\u00a0while looking for the shuttle bus to\u00a0my hotel, confirmed this. He also\u00a0offered to call my hotel and inquire\u00a0about the schedule of the shuttle\u00a0bus and invited me to wait in the\u00a0comfort of his air-conditioned minibus\u00a0until it came.\nIn Emirates they also have a greeting with 3 fingers – Win, Victory and Love\nPeople like myself, arriving from the\u00a0uncertainty of another corner of the\u00a0world, are immediately assailed by\u00a0dark thoughts and questions about\u00a0why anybody would do that? Because\u00a0he is humane? Because he is\u00a0happy and grateful to the country\u00a0that gave him the possibility of living\u00a0a peaceful life? Because he believes\u00a0the law is equal for everyone\u00a0in the Emirates, ordinary people and\u00a0sheikhs alike?\nI wanted to laugh at this. It sounds\u00a0like pure science fiction. But to them\u00a0it\u2019s reality. Why? Because there is no\u00a0corruption. There is no need for it.\nThat\u2019s why.\nAccording to Interpol, Dubai is the\u00a0safest city in the world and a report\u00a0from April 2014 indicates that UAE\u00a0have the lowest violent crime rate\u00a0in the world.\nThe fact that the police drive Aston \u00a0Martins, Lamborghinis, McLarens,\u00a0Ferraris and similar cars must in itself\u00a0act as a deterrent for most potential\u00a0perpetrators.\nHistory\nIf you are looking for a destination\u00a0with\u00a0a rich past, historical monuments,\u00a0museums and architecture from\npast ages, Dubai might not live up to\u00a0your expectations.\nOn the other hand, it is making every\u00a0effort to become the center of modern\u00a0culture and art.\nArabi Venice\nThe Dubai Opera, proclaimed the\u00a0city\u2019s\u00a0new cultural icon, is a multifunctional,\u00a0centrally-located facility\nfor opera, theater, art exhibitions,\u00a0concerts,\u00a0and sports events. It can\u00a0accommodate\u00a02,000 people and will\u00a0be opened to the public in 2016.\nThe history of Dubai is not as long as\u00a0it is interesting.\u00a0In 1833, led by the Maktoum family,\u00a0some 800 members of the Bani Yas\u00a0tribe who had previously declared\u00a0independence\u00a0from Abu Dhabi settled\u00a0on the banks of the Dubai creek.\nThis natural port soon turned out to\u00a0be a good strategic position, enabling\u00a0trade, fishing and, particularly,\u00a0pearling.\nChinese involvement in the international\u00a0pearl market with the invention\u00a0of artificial pearls in 1926 and\u00a0the Great Depression of 1929 forced\u00a0Sheikh Saeed to find alternate sources\u00a0of income. Oil was found in 1966,\u00a0starting a new period of prosperity\u00a0for Dubai.\nIn order to avoid being solely dependent\u00a0on oil, whose reserves are\u00a0expected\u00a0to start dwindling in a few\u00a0years, Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum\u00a0made a wise decision.\nThe income from oil was invested\u00a0in the development of Dubai as the\u00a0world\u2019s future tourist and business\u00a0center.\nLarge-scale construction made Dubai\u00a0the fastest growing city in the\u00a0world. At the moment, the contribution\u00a0of oil in total national income\u00a0is minimal. Today tourism is one of\u00a0the main branches of the industry.\nImpressive.\nTourism in the superlative\nPeople are attracted by the greatest,\u00a0the best, the highest, the longest,\u00a0the most modern\u2026. and this is exactly\u00a0what Dubai offered them.\nBy engaging the best architects and\u00a0experts of the world, this city moved\u00a0architectural boundaries and broke records at every step of its development.\nIn Dubai you can see the highest\u00a0building in the world, Burj Khalifa,\u00a0standing 828 m above the city,\u00a0with the world\u2019s highest restaurant\u00a0At.mosphere on the 122nd floor.\n[quote_box_left]When they decided to\u00a0focus on tourism all they\u00a0had was desert and oil.\u00a0What could they do to\u00a0attract tourists?[/quote_box_left]\nThe exceptional Armani Hotel, of\u00a0which there are only two in the world\u00a0(the other one is in Milan), also\u00a0forms part of Burj Khalifa.\nOne of the first architectural wonders\u00a0in Dubai was the magnificent sailshaped\u00a0hotel Burj Al Arab, known\u00a0as the Seven Star building and one\u00a0of the city\u2019s main symbols providing\u00a0\u201cthe best the world has to offer\u201d.\nFeel free to use your imagination\u00a0to understand what this means \u2013\u00a0you won\u2019t be wrong.\nDubai Mall, the largest shopping\u00a0mall in the world, is the most popular\u00a0attraction in Dubai.\nMadinat Jumeirah\nThe artificial lake in front of Burj\u00a0Khalifa and the Dubai Mall holds the\u00a0highest fountain in the world, the\u00a0Dubai Fountain, which shoots water\u00a0up to 150 m (equivalent to 50 floors)\u00a0and is 275 m long. The fountain was\u00a0designed by the architects of the\u00a0Bellagio Fountain in Las Vegas.\nThe largest artificial island in the\u00a0world, the Palm Jumeirah, palm-shaped\u00a0and visible from outer space,\u00a0has become a favorite resort of the\u00a0wealthy, with its luxury apartments,\u00a0residences, private villas, and beaches.\nThis resort includes eight magnificent\u00a0hotels with Atlantis the Palm\u00a0as probably the most spectacular,\u00a0holding a central position a top the\u00a0crescent of the Palm and offering a\u00a0breathtaking view. This grand, multifaceted\u00a0hotel gives you a chance to\u00a0swim and play with the dolphins in\u00a0the Dolphin Bay and incorporates a\u00a0lagoon with 65,000 sea animals, 700\u00a0m of beaches, the Aquaventure water\u00a0park and much more.\nTwo more palm-shaped islands are\u00a0under construction and another island\u00a0shaped like a map of the world.\nThere are many more buildings in\u00a0Dubai that will literally take your\u00a0breath away, like the Madinat Jumeirah\u00a0hotel complex modeled after\u00a0an Arab fortress and connected\u00a0by a channel only crossed by boat,\u00a0earning it the name of Arab Venice.\nMeydan City, incorporating the longest\u00a0racecourse in the world, running\u00a01.7 km long, and a hotel overlooking\u00a0the racecourse and tennis academy,\u00a0is home to many thoroughbred\u00a0horses from the entire world.\nMeydan hotel overlooking the racecourse (the Dubai World Cup horse race is held here every year)\nEvery year, this resort is host to the\u00a0Dubai World Cup, the most opulent\u00a0horse races in the world, with a $ 30\u00a0million prize fund.\nThis year Kylie Minogue will be revving\u00a0up the entertainment at the\u00a0racecourse, while last year Jennifer\u00a0Lopez performed here.\nActivities\nYou can do whatever you like in Dubai.\u00a0A desert safari is definitely something\u00a0you shouldn\u2019t miss with campfire\u00a0dinners under the stars, flying\u00a0over the desert in a balloon, riding\u00a0camels, driving in buggies and jeeps\u00a0over the dunes, falconry (training\u00a0falcons and hunting with them), and\u00a0sandboarding down the dunes.\n[quote_box_right]Believe it or not, Dubai is\u00a0not all about shopping!\u00a0You can relax and entertain\u00a0yourself in many\u00a0other ways.[/quote_box_right]\nYou can also go skiing or skating, play\u00a0golf on first class terrains, play tennis,\u00a0go bowling, karting, or visit the\u00a0Ferrari Theme Park. Water activities\u00a0include scuba diving, fishing, sailing,\u00a0visits to the aqua parks, swimming\u00a0with dolphins at the Dubai Dolphinarium.\nDesert Safari\nThere are also horse, camel, and\u00a0car races to watch (the latter at the\u00a0Dubai Autodrome) or you can play\u00a0camel polo (Dubai Polo Equestrian\u00a0Club)\u2026 or you can watch the Dubai\u00a0Tennis Cup.\nSurprisingly, despite its desert environment,\u00a0Dubai has several large\u00a0green parks offering lots of activities\u00a0and the Children\u2019s City, the Dubai\u00a0International Academy City \u2013 DIAC,\u00a0the Global City and much more.\nLegoland is currently under construction\u00a0(to be completed in 2016) as\u00a0well as the Bollywood Theme Park\u00a0(whose first phase will be completed\u00a0in 2016).\nOne thing is sure \u2013 you won\u2019t be bored\u00a0in Dubai.\nOnly for the rich?\nDubai is paradise for the wealthy.\u00a0Everything revolves around luxury,\u00a0comfort and satisfying every possible,\u00a0and elsewhere perhaps impossible,\u00a0need and desire.\nWhat makes this city interesting for\u00a0us mortals is its focus on individual\u00a0and group tourism for visitors of more\u00a0modest means.\nThere are over 200 of 3 and 4 star\u00a0hotels in Dubai, as well as excellent\u00a0apartments. Dubai also plans to build\u00a0more mid scale hotels with the\u00a0idea of accommodating 20 million\u00a0tourists by the 2020, which is twice\u00a0as many as today.\nDubai also has a good public transport\u00a0system, allowing you to reach\u00a0all the vital parts of the city by subway\u00a0or bus and even taking the taxi\u00a0is not expensive.\nIt would cost approximately 50 EUR,\u00a0for instance, to watch the horse races\u00a0at the Dubai World Cup in Meydan.\nAn unforgettable, world-class\u00a0event. The same amount would be\u00a0enough to drive in a jeep and experience\u00a0the Desert Safari.\nCamel Polo – fun and team building\nFast food sold in street shops, both\u00a0tasty and safe, costs just a few euros.\u00a0You can try shawarma (the local\u00a0version of the burrito, taco, or gyros)\u00a0or crunchy, spicy Indian nuggets often\u00a0made with mashed potato, pepper\u00a0flakes, and pepper paste.\nHere I have to add how tasty, fresh,\u00a0fantastically prepared, seasoned,\u00a0and varied the food in Dubai is. I was\u00a0a little doubtful at first, if you remember\u00a0the first part of this article.\n[quote_box_left]Dubai\u2019s multinational character\u00a0offers a wide choice of\u00a0cuisines\u00a0and places to eat,\u00a0from\u00a0Michelin star-rated restaurants\u00a0to traditional\u00a0food\u00a0shops in the streets.[/quote_box_left]\nMy prejudices crumbled before Hospitality\u00a0Catering by the Dubai World\u00a0Trade Center, whose culinary wonders\u00a0and working atmosphere we\u00a0were\u00a0able to experience at the invitation\u00a0of Chef Harald Oberender, Director\u00a0of Kitchens at the Dubai World\u00a0Trade Center.\nHere we had the pleasure to have lunch\u00a0in their Staff Dining Room and to\u00a0try some of their culinary masterpieces,\u00a0which left no doubt in our minds\u00a0about why most royal families\u00a0choose\u00a0these kitchens to cater for\u00a0their\u00a0weddings and special events.\nWe have experienced in practice, how\u00a0the extraordinary decoration and explosion\u00a0of tastes, turning an ordinary\u00a0room into royal one.\nIncentive in Dubai? Oh, yes\nNow for a brief look at the possibilities\u00a0and costs of business travel and\u00a0event organization in Dubai.\nThe Dubai World Trade Center (WTC)\u00a0is the main exhibition and congress\u00a0facility spreading over more than a\u00a0million square meters and incorporating\u00a0event\u00a0halls accommodating\u00a0from 500 to as many as 12,000 people,\u00a0which makes it especially interesting\u00a0for large concerts and sports\u00a0events.\nThere are many hotels within walking\u00a0distance of the WTC that can accommodate\u00a0event participants during\u00a0their stay.\nManagement and the team of World Trade Center kitchen (Hospitality catering) together with representatives of leading European medias of meetings industry\nOnly a few steps away\u00a0from WTC are\u00a0Ibis 2 and 3 star hotels,\u00a0Novotel Hotel\u00a0(4 stars) and many more. Room\u00a0prices vary from 60 EUR to 100 EUR,\u00a0in 2 and 4 star hotels, respectively.\nThe subway station is close,\u00a0ensuring\u00a0quick and easy transportation\u00a0around\u00a0the city.\n[quote_box_right]In 2014, Dubai hosted\u00a0the largest incentive trip\u00a0to the Emirates involving\u00a014,500 participants!\u00a0The client was the Chinese\u00a0cosmetics company,\u00a0Nu Skin.[/quote_box_right]\nEven companies with a modest budget\u00a0can consider Dubai as a possible\u00a0destination for incentive events.\nFor instance, delegates could be accommodated\u00a0in a modest hotel with\u00a0organized\u00a0sightseeing tours of and\u00a0unforgettable\u00a0dinners in luxury hotels,\u00a0such as the Palace Downtown\u00a0overlooking\u00a0the Dubai Fountain, the\u00a0Madinat Jumeirah or at some other\u00a0extraordinary, breathtaking building.\nA trip like this would definitely achieve\u00a0the motivational effect required\u00a0of an incentive trip.\nAfter visiting Dubai, you will believe\u00a0in miracles. You will also have the\u00a0feeling the future is bright and that\u00a0we are moving towards it with faith,\u00a0positive expectations and the fluttery\u00a0feeling in our stomachs as if we\u00a0were going on our first date.\nAnd we all need that sometimes,\u00a0don\u2019t we?\nThe post Is Dubai exactly what you thought? appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.", "date_published": "2015-06-18T16:30:12+02:00", "date_modified": "2017-03-20T12:22:59+01:00", "author": { "name": "Miona Milic", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/author/miona/", "avatar": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG-20240224-WA0003-e1728981138373.jpg" }, "image": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/DUBAI-Downtown-Dubai.jpg", "tags": [ "dubai", "incentive", "Destinations", "Hot topics" ] }, { "id": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/dubai-hosts-100-key-decision-makers-from-europe-s-travel-industry-to-showcase-business-tourism-offer/", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/dubai-hosts-100-key-decision-makers-from-europe-s-travel-industry-to-showcase-business-tourism-offer/", "title": "Dubai hosts 100 key decision-makers from Europe\u2019s travel industry to showcase business tourism offer", "content_html": "The familiarisation trip was organised by Dubai Business Events \u2013 the Official Convention Bureau (DBE), a division of Dubai Tourism, as part of its ongoing strategy to promote the city as a \u2018must-experience\u2019 destination that can host conferences, meetings as well as corporate and incentive travel events of any scale or scope.
\nBy inviting key meetings industry decision-makers and journalists to experience Dubai first hand, DBE is aiming to create a platform for engagement to build advocacy for the emirate\u2019s business events offer, and subsequently increase the number of visitors and business events hosted in the city every year.
\n![\"SMCCU](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/SMCCU-European-Mega-Fam-Group-Tour.jpg\")
Members of the group arrived in Dubai from various European cities on Emirates, and toured leading hotels and meeting venues during their three day visit.
They also met with various DMCs and tourism stakeholders, and experienced leisure activities in the city including interacting with dolphins at Atlantis the Palm, doing an aerial tour of the city with Seawings and playing Camel Polo at the Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club.
\nThey also visited popular sites such as Dubai Mall, the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), Burj Khalifa, the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding (SMCCU), The Palace Hotel, and Madinat Jumeirah.
\n\u201cDubai has a robust offer as a destination in terms of infrastructure, service levels and general lifestyle features which can\u2019t be fully communicated through trade shows, sales presentations, or promotional videos alone.
\nOur international partners in the travel industry are much more likely to recommend Dubai as an events destination to their corporate clients after they see first-hand just how welcoming and convenient the city is for business and incentive trips,\u201d said Steen Jakobsen, Director of Dubai Business Events (DBE).
Under Dubai\u2019s \u2018Tourism Vision for 2020\u2019 roadmap, government and private sector partners are working together to double the number of tourists visiting Dubai in 2020 to 20 million people per year, up from the 10 million people who visited in 2012.
\nThe aims of the strategy are to double leisure visitors to the emirate to 17 million per year by 2020 while increasing business visitors by 50% to 75% to around 3.5 million people per year.
\nThe recently concluded familiarisation trip from the European market is one of three planned for 2015, with groups from Asia and North America respectively expected to visit later on in the year.
\n\u201cOur preliminary feedback from the trip\u2019s participants has been overwhelmingly positive and we look forward to welcoming more and more of our international travel industry partners to Dubai to build relationships which will be both long-lasting as well as mutually beneficial,\u201d Jakobsen added.
\n![\"Seawings](\"https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Seawings-Tour-European-Mega-Fam-Group-Tour.jpg\")
Jakobsen went on to thank local tourism partners, including Dubai Airports, Grand Hyatt Dubai, Atlantis Dubai, Gulf Dunes, Arabian Adventures, Biz Group, Seawings, Madinat Jumeirah, The Palace Downtown, Emaar, the Meydan Hotel and Burj Khalifa\u2019s At.Mosphere, for their collaboration in making the trip a successful one.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0
The post Dubai hosts 100 key decision-makers from Europe\u2019s travel industry to showcase business tourism offer appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.
\n", "content_text": "One hundred influential meeting planners and business events journalists from countries across Europe were in Dubai February 21st to 23rd 2015, as part of Dubai Tourism\u2019s efforts to enhance the city\u2019s global status as a premier destination for international business events.\nThe familiarisation trip was organised by Dubai Business Events \u2013 the Official Convention Bureau (DBE), a division of Dubai Tourism, as part of its ongoing strategy to promote the city as a \u2018must-experience\u2019 destination that can host conferences, meetings as well as corporate and incentive travel events of any scale or scope.\nBy inviting key meetings industry decision-makers and journalists to experience Dubai first hand, DBE is aiming to create a platform for engagement to build advocacy for the emirate\u2019s business events offer, and subsequently increase the number of visitors and business events hosted in the city every year.\nMembers of the group arrived in Dubai from various European cities on Emirates, and toured leading hotels and meeting venues during their three day visit.\nThey also met with various DMCs and tourism stakeholders, and experienced leisure activities in the city including interacting with dolphins at Atlantis the Palm, doing an aerial tour of the city with Seawings and playing Camel Polo at the Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club.\nThey also visited popular sites such as Dubai Mall, the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), Burj Khalifa, the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding (SMCCU), The Palace Hotel, and Madinat Jumeirah.\n\u201cDubai has a robust offer as a destination in terms of infrastructure, service levels and general lifestyle features which can\u2019t be fully communicated through trade shows, sales presentations, or promotional videos alone.\nOur international partners in the travel industry are much more likely to recommend Dubai as an events destination to their corporate clients after they see first-hand just how welcoming and convenient the city is for business and incentive trips,\u201d said Steen Jakobsen, Director of Dubai Business Events (DBE). \nUnder Dubai\u2019s \u2018Tourism Vision for 2020\u2019 roadmap, government and private sector partners are working together to double the number of tourists visiting Dubai in 2020 to 20 million people per year, up from the 10 million people who visited in 2012.\nThe aims of the strategy are to double leisure visitors to the emirate to 17 million per year by 2020 while increasing business visitors by 50% to 75% to around 3.5 million people per year.\nThe recently concluded familiarisation trip from the European market is one of three planned for 2015, with groups from Asia and North America respectively expected to visit later on in the year.\n\u201cOur preliminary feedback from the trip\u2019s participants has been overwhelmingly positive and we look forward to welcoming more and more of our international travel industry partners to Dubai to build relationships which will be both long-lasting as well as mutually beneficial,\u201d Jakobsen added.\nJakobsen went on to thank local tourism partners, including Dubai Airports, Grand Hyatt Dubai, Atlantis Dubai, Gulf Dunes, Arabian Adventures, Biz Group, Seawings, Madinat Jumeirah, The Palace Downtown, Emaar, the Meydan Hotel and Burj Khalifa\u2019s At.Mosphere, for their collaboration in making the trip a successful one.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \nThe post Dubai hosts 100 key decision-makers from Europe\u2019s travel industry to showcase business tourism offer appeared first on SEE Business travel & meetings magazine.", "date_published": "2015-02-26T16:38:41+01:00", "date_modified": "2017-03-24T16:45:29+01:00", "author": { "name": "Mirjana Novitovic", "url": "https://www.seebtm.com/en/author/officebs/", "avatar": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/slika-.jpg" }, "image": "https://www.seebtm.com/wp-content/uploads/Camel-Polo-European-Mega-Fam-Group-Tour1.jpg", "tags": [ "dubai", "News and events" ] } ] }