As part of an ongoing drive to attract more meeting, incentive, conference and exhibition (MICE) business from Europe, the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) hosted a visit by 13 leading Italian tour operators this week.

DTCM Director General, Khalid A. bin Sulayem, said: "Total outbound travel from Italy in 2000 exceeded 18.5 million departures, the highest volume of outbound traffic from the country in the past ten years.

"The Italian market offers tremendous potential for Dubai and the number of Italian guests staying in Dubai's hotel establishments grew by more than 23 per cent in 2000." He noted that the DTCM was positive that the numbers would increase further with 26 Italian tour operators currently promoting Dubai packages.

The tour operators on the familiarisation trip included Oltremare, Inventavacanze, Svetavoi, Cocolapalm, Vassallucci, Tuttiviaggi, Othman Travel, Kaleido Travel, Sestante Viaggi, Playa Del Sol, Sestante Salario, Peppatencia and Properzio Viaggi.

DTCM Missions Manager, Hamad bin Mejren, who briefed the visiting delegates, said: "This trip has been co-sponsored by Arabian Adventures and most of these tour operators specialise in conference and incentive business."