Etihad Airways, Definitely Dubai and Jebel Ali International hosted an interesting and informative evening for travel agents who had completed the Dubai Expert training programme at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Dublin last week. Ingrid Aagesen from Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) presented the latest that Dubai has to offer, including gastronomic delights, family fun, water parks, and shopping – with gold and spices to the fore, and international sport, with golf, rugby and cricket all attracting top stars to the Emirate. Ingrid emphasised that Dubai ticks all the boxes for a very different experience and a holiday of a lifetime.
Informative presentations were also made by Karen Maloney, Leisure Sales Manager, Etihad Airways, and Ross Park, Sales Manager – Travel Trade, Jebel Ali International Hotels (see Featured Video on ittn.ie).
Karen confirmed the commitment of the airline to the Irish market, with sponsorship continuing with the GAA for a further five years, and thanked the agents for their support during Etihad’s first five years in the Irish market. She emphasised the ease of access to Dubai from Abu Dhabi International Airport and the new terminal, which is undergoing a major expansion.
Ross wowed the attending agents with the great value offered by the Jebel Ali portofolio, including two exceptional hotels in one great resort. Situated on its own private 800-metre palm-lined beach overlooking the golden shores of the Arabian Gulf is the multiple awrd-winning Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa. This 52-hectare beach resort in Dubai is renowned for its relaxed holiday atmosphere with the option to stay in one of two beachfront hotels – Jebel Ali Hotel as the iconic property and the Palm Tree Court & Spa as a deluxe option for families.
Fam Visit Participants
Six lucky retail agents had won places on next month’s DTCM / Etihad Ireland ‘Dubai for Families’ familiarisation visit to Dubai through a booking incentive in which they had to book a DBX package with Etihad flights to qualify. The lucky winners were:
Pamela Kelly, Newbridge Travel
Jennifer Dineen, Abbey Travel
Siobhan Geraghty, Cavan Travel
Clodagh Connolly, Fahy Travel
Orla Barcoe, Manning Travel
Majella Greene, O’Callaghan Travel
In addition, a prize draw was held on the night for a seventh place on the familiarisation visit and the lucky winner was Orlagh Hogan of Travelmood.
Ingrid Aagesen from DTCM and Fiona Lawless from Etihad Airways will be escorting the agents from 7th – 11th June to Dubai, where they will be hosted by Jebel Ali International Hotels at the fabulous Oasis Beach Tower. Highlights of the visit will include Jebel Ali Resort, Bateaux Dubai, Jumeirah Mosque Tour, Desert Safari, Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa, and Aquaventura.
