Some 60 representatives of travel agencies gathered at the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel in Bangkok on March 2, 2015 to attend a workshop for an update on tourism developments in Dubai. It was up to Mr. V. Virasakdi (Tick), District Manager of Emirates, to give the introduction and he remarked that Dubai is high on the traveling list of Thai people, but unfortunately Dubai is still a little too expensive for them.

Anyhow, Dubai is now fast becoming a leading family destination because a remarkable array of tourist attractions such as glittering shopping malls, sandy beaches, exciting theme and water parks, and new luxury hotels to accommodate the more than 11 million visitors that Dubai recorded in 2014. Last not least, Dubai targets some 20 million visitors by 2020, when the city is hosting the World Expo.

Miss Gloria Lai and Miss Carrie Kwai from the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, Government of Dubai, had been traveling from Hong Kong to Bangkok to promote Dubai and its amazing history to be named as one of the three most dynamic cities in the world - next to London and Paris. A video was shown accordingly.

Actually, Dubai started from a small fishing village to become a thriving port at the Arabian Sea with a pearling and oil industry. On 2 December 1971, Dubai became part of the United Arab Emirates, which comprise 7 emirates with Abu Dhabi as capital. Dubai World Trade Centre opened in 1978, while in 1979 Jebel Ali Port became the largest man-made harbor and the biggest port in the Middle East. 1985 saw the beginnings of the airline Emirates. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum became the present Ruler of Dubai in 2006. In 2010, The Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest tower at 828m, opened. Finally, Dubai’s second airport, Al Maktoum International at Dubai World Central opened in 2013. Today, the city boasts some 2.3 million inhabitants.

In another video #MyDubai, Dubai is promoted as City of Mine & Yours. With 95 shopping malls, more than 600 hotels as well as over 2,000 restaurants, Dubai is also becoming a city of festivals. The annual Dubai Shopping Festival is held each January, while a new Food Festival is celebrated in February. The annual Arabian Travel Market (ATM) is held on May 4-7 this year. Celebrating Islamic culture and tradition during Eid Al Fitr at the end of Ramadan, exhibits parades, live performances, carnivals, fireworks displays and shopping discounts across the city. Culinary delights abound and a strong visual arts movement is sweeping the city. Sporting events emerge and outdoor adventures wait at every turn. For details, please go to: www.dubaicalendar.com

The presentations ended with an impressive demonstration of Emirates Global Network, including destinations in Asia - Australia - Europe - Americas - Middle East - Africa. The workshop concluded with a “halal” lunch and a lucky draw to win an air ticket from Bangkok to Dubai.

Miss Tassanee Kiatkamchornchai, Honorary Secretary General of Thai Travel Agents Association (TTAA), wrapped it up: “Let’s do Dubai as quick as possible.”

For further information, please go to: www.dubaitourism.ae