European nations keen to greet GCC visitors
Many European destinations and hotels offer Arab oriented experiences, food, Arab amenities like bidet in toilets and visa free facility for selected GCC nationals to name a few. The need to have Arabic speaking staff to assist guests and employing them has also been a growing trend. Quality living, Comfort and privacy are the main criteria for an average Arab traveller in addition to Halal food. Traditionally, European countries have been eager to welcome guests from GCC countries - both expat and nationals. This is mainly because of their spending power. Brand loyalty and the potential to become repeat customers are the key elements for them to be solicited. Nature, quality shopping, educated social behaviour, tourist-friendly cities, respect DQG VDIHW\ (DV\ FRQQHFWLYLW\ RI ÁLJKWV 1DWXUH FRPIRUW DQG TXDOLW\ Relaxation in Visa is another major factor. Mostly family travel by Arab FRPPXQLW\ WUDYHO E\ ÁLJKW RU FUXLVH PDLQ DWWUDFWLRQV TXDOLW\ KRWHOV close to tourist attractions, nightlife for solo travellers.
The European market is a key source for international WUDYHOOHUV Á\LQJ WR -RUGDQ DQG that is evident by the number RI ÁLJKWV ODQGLQJ DW 4XHHQ $OLD International Airport in Amman and King Hussein International Airpor t in Aqaba. Travellers, short and long-term stay, come to explore the history of the country along with the culture - not to forget one of the Wonders of the World Petra and the lowest point on earth at the Dead Sea, in addition to the iconic Wadi Rum and the amazing Gulf of Aqaba. United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, Italy and Spain prefer GCC/ ME countries. The European market has the diversity of all kind of travellers depending on the seasonality. Those who travel during Christmas, New Year’s holidays and Easter usually come in a groups and with families. Those who come for a short trip do come for business and may have a bleisure stay, specially LI WKH\ DUH Á\LQJ IRU WKH ÀUVW WLPH WR H[SORUH WKH FLW\ DQG WKH FXOtural heritage.
As a Spanish brand
Melia is well known in the
European market, and as such we receive a lot of interest from our guests, as well as Melia Rewards members. Additionally, with our polo credentials, the
UK is a big market for us, both from players and those in the polo fraternity. For
Melia Desert Palm specifically we have a lot of guests from
Spain, Germany, Italy, France and the UK. We find they are looking for friendly genuine service blended with our Spanish hospitality, as well as somewhere to relax and be at peace, while enjoying what the city has to offer. We get guests from all categories, some for business, some for leisure, and as we are an ideal place to enjoy an extended trip over a weekend, we also get guests here for a little ‘bleisure’.
Europe is a highly important market for the UAE and overall GCC travel market. The proximity to EU countries, with DQ DYHUDJH RI KRXU ÁLJKWV ZKLFK LV DQ DWWUDFWLYH ÁLJKW time for those looking to have a quick sunny escape, especially in the colder months of the year. For leisure travel, Dubai is the primary destination due to its global reputation for beach, attractions, retail, dining offerings and nightlife, followed by Abu Dhabi, Doha and Bahrain. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a primary destination for business and religious travel. However, we do see the trends slowly changing with an increase in leisure tourism showing due to the development of destinations within the country such as AlUla, the Red Sea and NEOM. The main European source markets we see an increased demand for travel are UK and Germany, which are followed closely by Italy and France. This year, we see an increase in demand for family holidays.
The European population make up the largest number of travellers to Georgia. Travellers from UK, Germany, France and Spain are mostly visiting Tbilisi and the mountainous parts of the country. Georgia gets a lot of visitors from Dubai, Kuwait, Israel and Saudi and that is at all levels. Georgia became a romantic gateway for couples and for families, who are visiting eco-resorts in the mountains and at the seaside. Authentic Georgian food, wine and mountains are attracting the attention of visitors. Georgia is appealing to tourists who are more into “slow tourism”. They expect us to connect and provide information on the local community and neighbourhood, and to get information on historical aspects, which you can meet in every corner of the city. Georgia is hosting mostly leisure travellers and it is mostly groups and families. However, there is a big demand for solo business travellers as well. Our ‘House Hotels’ offer full comfor t for all types of travellers, offering superb hotel facilities.
The Middle East/ GCC market (15 per cent in 2021) counts among the most important markets for the Dolder
Grand in Switzerland, Germany, UK and the USA with personalised service, Oriental cuisine, Arabic speaking staff, ultimate luxury, safety, comfort, discretion. Most of the families have their PAs, who are in direct contact with our reservations, sales or butler team. They choose the hotel over the package. An exclusive shopping experience e.g. can be organised via our concierge team if wanted. Couples, families, or groups travel. They would send their special requests upfront to our reservations team or mention it during the booking process. In addition, our butler team, when booking a suite, takes care of the special requests and get in touch with the guest upfront.
Europe is a key source for Premier Inn MENA, accounting for more than 30 per cent of visitors at our Dubai hotels so far this year. With the World &XS DSSURDFKLQJ WKLV ÀJXUH will rise. UK visitors account for the highest amount of European guests, closely followed by guests from France, Germany, Spain and Italy. Our guests are a mixture of business and leisure travellers, and include many long stay guests taking advantage of our monthly rates. With the continued easing of travel restrictions, there is an uptick in overall visitor numbers, especially in people coming from long-haul destinations. Premier Inn, owned by leading UK hospitality company, Whitbread, has 11 properties in the MENA region. The brand established itself in the Middle East with the opening of Premier Inn Dubai Investment Park in 2008, and now operates seven hotels in Dubai, two in Abu Dhabi and two in Qatar, with more in the pipeline.
Important inbound markets UK, Germany and CIS are among the Top 10 source markets in the Middle East. Above three markets are key to the UAE, UK and Italy is also key to the rest of the GCC in terms of Defence and Oil & Gas sectors. For leisure customers, their requirements resonate around F&B offerings, accessibility to points of attraction and safety. For Business clients, the key UHTXLUHPHQWV DUH DURXQG HIÀciency in check-in and check-out processes, proximity to their RIÀFHV DQG &OXE /RXQJH DFFHVV 1RZ LQWHUQDWLRQDO RUJDQLVDWLRQV are also focused on ESG deliverables by all partners they are afÀOLDWHG ZLWK ZKHWKHU WKDW DUH KRWHOV DLUOLQHV 70&V RU VXSSOLHUV It is a mix of all segments really with leisure dominance in resort destinations, business in city hotels and blended travel in urban locations. When it comes to outbound Europe, the ME plus GCC market is an important source market to Europe, including France, Turkey, Switzerland, UK and the Nederland.
EVINTRA’s CEO Andreas
Thölken, who created an independent platform for global
MICE industry shares about attending WTM this year. “WTM is a true “must attend” event in the MICE & Tourism sector. We had been attending it for more than 10 years already and would not miss it in the future.
The amazing diversity of global exhibitors, networking opportunities and wide selection of education offerings are one of a kind. It is the place to be for doing business, getting new leads, meeting up with existing connections and acquiring valuable industry knowledge make WTM one of world leading get together for professionals.” The name EVINTRA consists out of the three words EVent, INcentive and TRAvel, which was established as a brand by Andreas Thölken in 2011. The vision of EVINTRA is to become the most valuable tool of the connected industries.