Dubai: Traditional touristic capitals in Europe are facing growing competition from other cities elsewhere that are currently attracting more and more tourists from the Gulf region.

South American countries of Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Peru, along with Mongolia and Tibet in Asia are likely to have a prominent place on the region’s tourism map in the near future, travel specialists say.

The new tourist destinations are already receiving a growing number of tourists from the UAE and the rest of the Gulf countries, while the safaris in Africa are increasingly becoming a popular destination, thanks to direct flights.

“Brazil and Argentina are very popular among all,” said Asif Hussain, Manager- outbound leisure at Al Tayer Holidays in Dubai for South American countries. “But the other [countries] are also getting popular because of the fact of direct flights,” Hussain told Gulf News.

The travel agency, which started organising tourism packages to South American destinations a year and a half ago, has seen a “one way graph of increasing numbers year on year. Last year the total billing to South America as a destination was $250,000 [Dh918,000],” Hussain said.

Passenger traffic to South America from the Gulf region is “excellent”, said an aviation expert, who asked not to be named.

However, the most important element in the growing traffic to South America or any other destination is the fact that there are non-stop flights through Dubai, which encourage people to explore different places, according to the expert.

Prior to launching any new route, officials at Emirates airline have repeatedly explained that thorough studies were conducted and detailed homework was done.

Connecting Middle East with South America

In 2012, Emirates airline launched its direct flights to both Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro and Argentina's Buenos Aires. It was the first airline to connect the Middle East with South America.

Commenting on tourism destinations for the Gulf region residents, Hussain said, “basically, most of the time, it is Emirates [airline] driven. For example, after opening the route to the Croatian capital, Zagreb, suddenly, the Balkan region became popular” for the Gulf population. Zagreb’s route was launched in June 1.

Other people, mainly the affluent, do not wait for direct flights and choose new destinations in what is called exceptional travel, according to Simon Cameron, CEO of Lightfoot travel.

The company, which has offices in Singapore, Hong Kong and Dubai, is tailoring trips according to personal requests, and taking people wherever they like to go. Cameron’s says his clients are in their forties and well-educated. They expect “high standards”, he said.

Moreover, they come from different countries. For example, when Cameron started his business in Singapore, the majority were expatriates. Today, Singaporeans constitute nearly 70 per cent. And Hussain’s packages to South America had attracted people from across the Gulf region. The percentage is 70 per cent from UAE, with the remaining 30 per cent coming from neighbouring countries, he said.

Strong expatriate population

The three cities hosting “Lightfoot Travel” offices share similar characteristics. They are all regional commercial hubs. They have international companies. They also both have strong expatriate population and affluent local population.

People from different countries wish to see different places, Cameron said.

For instance, worldwide, “Columbia is becoming very popular, and then we also do a lot of African safaris, and a lot of south East Asia, as well as places like Magnolia and Tibet,” Simon said.

Interestingly, Cuba, is “becoming a popular destination” to many Singaporeans. Dubai is also among the popular destinations for UK and Hong-Kong-based people, and because “Emirates is so popular, many people come for honeymoon”, Cameron said.

Asked about the top destinations for people in the Gulf region, Cameron replied, “without doubt, you are still talking about mainstream Europe. You are talking UK, Switzerland, Germany and France.”

According to Cameron’s company records, the top ten alternative destinations inspiring avid travellers around the world include Mongolia, Iran, Tibet, Cuba, Fiji, Colombia, Croatia, Rwanda, Jordan and Ethiopia.

“I think if you go to these destinations, you will not be surrounded by western civilisation and mobile phones. It is like digital detox. [Phones], will not work in half of these places,” Cameron said.

Rwanda

He said there wrong views of many of the destinations.

For example, Columbia is a “very safe place” to visit, contrary to the view that it is a city for gangs.

Also, contrary to the perception that it is an unpleasant place with a painful history because of the massacres, Rwanda is described as one of the most beautiful places in Africa. It is considered a perfect place to watch the gorillas, and one of the luxury hotels chains is planning to open a hotel there.

Hussain agreed. He described the view vis-a-vie South American countries as countries lacking safety as a “myth”.

He said “South America is a “continent with offerings for every palette — Nature, culture, history, nightlife — and is geared with the best and most luxury hotel brands [both ethnic and others], vehicles, English and Arabic guides, amazing restaurants with halal food.”