Interviewed: Elena Olkhovskaya The president of the Dubai-based tourism company Royal Park Tourism Services, Mr. M. Chaco Mani, is aware of what is happening firsthand in the tourism market. His company has long and successfully developed tourist relations between Russia, the CIS countries and the UAE. This is not the first time we have decided to meet, talk and hear the point of view of Mr. Mani, a leading expert, about how the situation in the tourism and hospitality segment of the UAE was influenced by the global financial crisis, to learn about the prospects and future plans.
Mr. Mani, many experts in the field of economics already publicly declare that the global financial crisis is over. What influence did he have on tourism and hospitality, what consequences of the crisis did you feel as the head of one of the largest travel agencies working with tourists from Russia and the CIS?
If we talk about the Russian segment of the tourism market, the most surprising for us were very, very good results. I would even say that all the indicators were fantastic, and that the crisis is already over. And this is felt not only by us, but by and large by all companies engaged in trade and services. If I am not mistaken, then the growth in these areas amounted to more than 130%. Can you believe it? I clearly know this from the example of my company, and this, to be honest, was very unexpected for us.
We did not even imagine that the market would begin to rise so quickly and so powerfully. This is good news. Second, new players appeared on the market. I’m talking about large Russian tour operator companies that were not particularly active in the pre-crisis situation and did not promote Dubai as a tourist destination, and now do it with great willingness and benefit for themselves and tourists.
What are the main reasons for such changes, in your opinion?
The main reasons are the availability of hotel rooms and affordable prices for them. Since Dubai adjusted the cost of hotel accommodation, the market immediately reacted to this, and those tour operators who could not get confirmation on hotels before sent the largest number of tourists to the Emirates. They did a great and quality job. Therefore, I believe that we went through a very interesting period during which competition among tourism companies in Russia and in the UAE became more healthy. All this led to stabilization of prices and higher standards of service. It is very important.
Today's tourists pay attention not only to prices, but also to standards and quality of services. Therefore, travel agencies need to offer the tourist a product in which there will be a clear balance of "price-quality". Before the crisis, travel agencies, unfortunately, looked only at prices and tried to sell packages with the greatest benefit for themselves, but what kind of service was there - they did not concern. Today, they themselves are primarily interested in providing quality tourist products, therefore they also make corresponding requirements to their foreign partners, figuring out how many people work in the company, what its transportation fleet is, what excursion programs are offered, what visa fees are and so on.
The same story is in hotels, which suddenly realized that the Russian market today is one of the most powerful and profitable for them, and therefore began to show due respect and attention to the requirements of Russian tourists. Many new beach hotels have begun to offer special attractive packages for accommodation on the Russian market.
All this taken together led to an increase in market dynamics. After all, it is obvious that if tourists like everything here - from prices to services and leisure facilities, they will come back again and again. The hotels were supported by many air carriers, which increased the number of flights to the largest cities of Russia and the CIS, as well as significantly reduced air fares. And, of course, the active work of the Department of Tourism and Commercial Marketing of the Government of Dubai and its Moscow office, headed by Sergey Kanayev, aimed at promoting Dubai as a year-round tourist destination, played a role. Therefore, I am very pleased with the current market situation and the changes that were achieved thanks to the crisis, when everyone had to think about how to change things for the better. And if you look at the numbers, then at the peak of the tourist season, which fell on the New Year holidays, only our company received three times as many tourists as during the same period last year. This is already talking about something.
Can you point out those regions of Russia where the largest flow of tourists to the Emirates was recorded from?
Of course, the first place is Moscow, through whose airports tourists fly not only from the capital and the capital region, but from many other regions of Russia. This is due to the activities of the largest Russian tour operators, which consolidate tourist flows by selling their packages in the UAE with flights from Moscow, since most airlines operate regular flights to and from the Russian capital. Then, of course, there are such large cities where direct air service from the Emirates is established on a regular basis - Yekaterinburg, Samara, Novosibirsk.
What attracts tourists to the UAE, except for the excellent weather and the sea?
Every year, in only one Dubai, the number of tourist attractions is increasing. What can we say about the whole country, where giant theme parks, water rides for the whole family, observation platforms on the highest skyscraper in the world and so on are being built. One of the most active groups of travelers today is students who are interested in literally everything - from a simple inspection of the old and new cities during excursions to extreme types of recreation. The second group is pensioners who are also interested in educational excursions and medical tourist programs. All this is offered today in the Emirates. Therefore, we say that Dubai and the UAE are an ideal vacation spot not only for the rich and famous, but also for all those who just want to go to numerous shops and markets, lie down on the beach, spend time in a professional spa or become participants grand carnival or festival. This is the beauty and attractiveness of the Emirates as a destination. I believe that the tourism market is well developed and has already reached its maturity.
We are always talking about tourists from Russia, but what about other CIS countries?
Of course, like the Russian one, the tourist flow from Ukraine and Kazakhstan has recently increased significantly. I would say that today these three markets supply the largest number of tourists to Dubai compared to other CIS countries.
Please tell me how the events taking place in Egypt, Tunisia and other countries neighboring with the UAE influenced the work of Dubai tour operators?
I would say that starting from January 25, tourists who usually preferred to spend the winter holidays in the resorts of Egypt, went to the Emirates in bulk, but they mainly settled in the city hotels of Dubai, since the prices are similar to those offered in Hurghada or Sharm el Sheikh. Dubai's coastal hotels are traditionally more expensive than Egyptian ones, so they cannot afford this segment of tourists. Today we are witnessing a situation when suddenly there are no more rooms available in 2-3-star city hotels in Dubai, the same thing happens in Sharjah hotels. And the demand for accommodation in budget hotels remains stably high.
Mr. Mani, what do you think about shifting the "center of gravity" of elite beach tourism from coastal hotels to luxury apartments, for example, on Palm Island, which can be rented for a period of two to three weeks?
I believe that wealthy tourists, for the most part, will continue to give preference to five-star hotels, because in addition to living by the sea, they also need high-quality service. When renting apartments for themselves and their family, they will pay the same 250-300 dollars a day, but they will have to service themselves. I do not think that in the near future those who prefer to get the best on vacation will cheat on themselves and stop staying in elite and famous hotels. After all, even the neighbors around for such travelers matter. Of course, some will prefer to live in apartments, having arrived at the invitation of their friends, but this will not become a mass phenomenon, like elite beach tourism.
Let's traditionally stop at the Moscow international exhibition of travel and tourism MITT-2011, which will be held from March 16 to 20. With what plans, questions, projects will Royal Park Tourism Services go there?
The most important thing for me at this exhibition will be an expression of gratitude to all our partners who give us the opportunity to work actively and fruitfully. Second, I always ask my partners to send us their feedback, comments, suggestions and comments regarding Dubai, the level of services, travel programs and so on, which allow us to adjust our work and provide the best quality service to tourists from Russia and the CIS countries. After all, what is the most important thing in a joint venture? Providing everything that allows you to make it comfortable and as fast as possible for both partners. As part of the exhibition, we will discuss with partners the preparation for the summer season and the organization of traditional study tours for representatives of Russian tourism companies that will begin in August, as well as all ideas that we and Russian tour operators may have regarding future joint work.
Do you expect an increase in the flow of tourists in the summer months compared to previous years, given that Ramadan also falls in the summer?
Typically, Ramadan does not particularly affect the fluctuations in tourist flow from Russia and the CIS countries. And in summer there are traditionally fewer tourists than in winter. However, in the last two years, we have noted a slight increase, by 10-20%, in the number of tourists from these markets. I believe that due to recent events in other popular tourist destinations in the Middle East, such as Egypt and Tunisia, we can expect a slight increase in the number of Russian tourists in Dubai this summer.
What can you wish for all your partners and media representatives on the eve of the summer tourist season?
Good luck to partners, and journalists to continue to cover all the latest news from Dubai and the UAE so that both tourists and tour operators have an idea of all the tourist attractions for different categories of travelers - from newlyweds and families with children to senior citizens. The second wish of the press is to increase its presence on the Internet through numerous forums and social networks in order to attract more guests to the Emirates. And finally, the third, more attention should be paid to commercial marketing of the direction and attraction of business tourism in the UAE. This is a very important role that the media play in the life of all sectors of the economy, especially tourism and hospitality, for which we are very grateful. You professionally and efficiently do your job, helping us.
Thanks for the conversation, Mr. Mani. And until we meet again at tourist exhibitions and seminars.
Royal Park Tourism Services
Facts and Figures
- International quality certificate ISO 9001: 2008. Inbound Tourism Tour Operator in Dubai.
- Over the past 19 years of professional work as a founder in the development of tourism markets in Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and other CIS countries, Western Europe and the Far East, more than 500,000 people have been served.
- Tourist services are provided by more than 48 professional employees, including six Russian-speaking specialists and 15 licensed guides.
- The company offers a wide range of services designed to meet the needs of every tourist, including visa support, hotel reservations, meeting and seeing off at the airport, transfers, car rental, guide services, sightseeing programs, conferences and corporate services, etc.
- Accommodation in all popular hotels in the UAE.
- Own representative office in Moscow.
- Four own popular city hotels in Dubai.
- Website: www.royalpark.net
Contacts:
Royal Park Tourism Services LLC
Dubai, UAE
Tel .: +971 4 2626282
Fax: +971 4 2699762
Email: [email protected]
