www.sama-dubai.com The GCC scored high marks as a popular tourist destination, according to a survey of key international travel industry experts, conducted during the annual World Travel Market, held recently in London . The snap poll was commissioned by Sama Dubai, the international real estate investment and development arm of Dubai Holding.
In the poll of 200 investors, developers,, hotel group representatives and consultants/analysts from around the world almost 70 per cent said the GCC’s appeal as a tourism destination was growing rapidly.
According to the poll, the GCC ranks third, behind North Africa and South East Asia , in terms of attracting the most tourism investment. When asked which markets would experience the highest growth over the next 10 years, respondents again ranked the GCC third, behind South East Asia and East Asia .
Within the GCC, the UAE scored highly as the most attractive destination. Over 70 per cent of those polled said it was the best leisure destination, ahead of Oman , and almost two thirds, 65.22 per cent said it was the most attractive destination for business travellers, ahead of Kuwait .
And, among those polled, 40.1 per cent said price would be the most important factor in driving tourism sector growth, while 20.64 per cent said sun and sand would be the leading tourism product over the next 10 years, followed by eco-tourism and culture.
Farhan Faraidooni, CEO of Sama Dubai, said: “The fact that so many of those polled referred to the UAE as the most attractive destination for leisure and business customers shows that well planned investments in tourism infrastructure are paying off. In Dubai , the government’s commitment, in particular, to developing tourism as a key economic sector has enabled it, in a short period of time, to establish itself as one of the most exciting destinations in the world.”
Fiona Jeffery, Managing Director, World Travel Market said she was encouraged that the Sama Dubai poll underlined the growing interest in responsible tourism. “One of the reasons why we were particularly delighted to work with Sama Dubai this year as WTM’s official Premier Partner was because of the company’s stated policy of responsible tourism.”
As the official sponsor of the World Travel Market., Sama Dubai showcased its integrated, luxury resort developments being developed under the Salam brand. The projects include the ‘Salam Resort and Spa – Bahrain ’; ‘Salam Resort and Spa – Yiti’, Oman , and ‘Salam Resort and Spa – Shinas’, Oman . Each Salam property will reflect the culture and heritage of its host country, and occupy prime locations offering unparalleled service throughout its comprehensive range of facilities.
Sama Dubai’s commitment to developing the finest resorts was recognized recently when rit won the coveted ‘World’s Leading Tourism Development Project’ award for the ‘Salam Resort and Spa – Bahrain’ at the 13th Annual World Travel Awards Gala.
The 70 million sq ft waterfront project - ‘The Lagoons’ in Dubai and the US $2 billion ‘Amwaj’ project in Morocco also attracted a great deal of interest during the World Travel Market. | 
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