The UAE: Popularity Cost

[IMG=20520-6252]In 2006 traditional period for fam trips to the UAE has moved from September to July – August owing to the new policy adopted by local hoteliers – it is becoming more difficult to get rooms in Sheraton, Hilton, Le Meridien – typical hotels for fam trips – at discounted rates as the season starts at the end of August now Thus, Elena Andreeva, the Head of the UAE Department of CAPITAL TOUR, said: ‘hot summer climate does not frighten fam trip participants. We sent one group in June and two August groups leaving for the Emirates on August 9th and 16th are practically formed. The season starts earlier; therefore, agents want to get prepared for the season’. Meanwhile, General Director of Solmar, Natalia Lashenkova, outlined one more reason for summer fam trips to the UAE: ‘last year we had a fam trip to the Emirates in June. Agents saw that there are advantages of traveling to the UAE in summer: discounted accommodation rates, sales at the festival ‘Summer Surprises’. She also pointed out that the possibility to get hotel rooms depends on the incoming partners: ‘it is not easy to get rooms; however, we organize fam trips to the UAE in September’. Furthermore, among the tendencies of the coming season Russian travel market experts emphasize the increasing interest of Russian tourists in city hotels in Dubai. Elena Andreeva explained that Russian people prefer this type of accommodation owing too high rates for beach hotels and the possibility to add shopping to their holiday list. Moreover, construction works along the coast line in Dubai is hardly a preferred neighbor.