The Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) has conducted a familiarisation trip for four groups of leading travel agents from the UK to the emirate from November 18-25. The trip is aimed at dispelling doubts relating to travel during Ramadan.

Each group comprises 12 agents.

Hamad bin Mejren, DTCM manager missions, said, "Similar efforts were made by the department during its participation in the World Travel Market in London recently.

"There we distributed copies of a specially designed brochure titled 'A Taste of Ramadan' to travel trade professionals. These familiarisation trips will confirm our seriousness about promoting Dubai during the holy month of Ramadan."

"The second quarter of 2002 recorded a 21.3 per cent increase in visitors from the UK as we received 222,758 hotel establishment guests compared to 183,647 in second quarter of 2001."

The groups are being taken on a city tour, and are being familiarised with various details of Ramadan like Iftar and Suhoor. A tour of the Jumeirah Mosque explaining its history is at the top of the agenda.

"This will help the visitors understand our culture and traditions and how the emirate has preserved its ancient past," he added.