By Arghya Ghosh
Ghassan Aridi, CEO, Alpha Destination Management, attending World Travel Market (WTM 2018), London, from Nov 5-7, with his team, elaborated on their plans to end the year on a high note suggesting more growth in the near future.
Alpha Destination Management is dominating the tourism sector in the Arabian Gulf due to a direct influence of strong growth from leading and emerging source markets resulting in increased number of visitors, and has also played a crucial role in the growth and development of tourism in the UAE and the wider GCC.
- Alpha’s influence on the Russian and CIS markets
According to reports there has been a 70 percent year-on-year increase in the number of Russian arrivals with the country being one of the major source markets of the Emirates. This growth is fuelled by several factors including the introduction of additional airline routes, new generation leisure attractions, visas on arrival for Russian travelers, and a wide range of resorts and hotels with tourism partners like Alpha. Alpha took steps to ensure that the number of incoming tourists from Russia and the CIS countries did not plunge after one of the biggest tour operators collapsed.
- Meeting targets in India, China, GCC and other markets
The success of Alpha Destination Management is steadily growing along with the growth of GCC countries and the UAE. Alpha caters to the requirements of its partners with a broad range of top-class services, capitalizing on massive growth of opportunities in the tourism sector.
Alpha has a huge market share, and has some of the most significant markets to GCC, India, China, UK, Germany, and other European destinations. UK and Germany is currently the key markets in Western Europe, with promise of further growth. Statistics show that a 14 per cent increase in German tourist in the first half of 2018. Alpha is targeting India and China as growth driver for their destinations. Indian tourists dominate the number of travelers to Dubai.
- Latest Attractions
Dubai plans on attracting 20 million visitors annually by the end of 2020. Alpha plans on diversifying activities and incorporating new tours and attractions, the Helicopter is one of the most popular ones. To establish faster links between seven Emirates, Alpha is planning to put helipads all over the UAE.
- Significance of the 2018 World Travel Market
UK and Germany have lot of influence on meeting the targets from Western Europe. The outbound tourism for the UAE from eastern and central Europe is expected to grow. Alpha is well placed to capitalize on these growth opportunities, as they own 40 percent of the market share from the UK.
- Details of the upcoming and existing business deals lined up at the show
Alpha has participated in the last 21 editions of the World Travel Market, offering them a platform to connect with their partners and conduct significant business. This edition will focus on closing ‘On the Beach’ which is the 5th largest Tour Operator in the UK operating 1.5 million British tourists every year, with Dubai being their first long haul destination. Alpha is set to sign a major commitment deal which will add another 50,000 room nights in the coming 3 years into one of the UAE’s Northern Emirates.
- Dubai’s tourism offerings to diversify and evolve in response to latest market trends
The evolution of the Dubai travel industry is adding to its temptation in key areas of the markets, with UK being one of the top three source countries.
- Meeting the expectations of the tourists from the UK
Tourists from the UK expect greater value and more unique experiences, and thus meeting their expectations will help get a better conversion. The approach to the UK market is different from other markets. Coming up with new ideas to increase stop over business would be key.