dnata Representation Services concludes second roadshow

dnata Representation Services successfully hosted their second Ahlan Arabia roadshow this June with hotels, resorts and DMCs from across the UAE, Greece, Cyprus, Indian Ocean, Indonesia and Thailand. Held in three key cities of the region - Riyadh, Jeddah and Dubai – the event saw great engagement with almost 200 travel agents in attendance. 

We spoke to Rakhi Purohit, Head of Representation Services at dnata, to get more insight into the event and why it’s important to have representation here in the Middle East:

Please share dnata Representative Services’ growth journey over the last few months.

In 2023 so far, we have signed a number of new hospitality partners covering destinations such as Thailand, Greece, Serbia and Cyprus, seeking to target GCC travellers. This has diversified our existing portfolio significantly, as more destinations worldwide look to the GCC region as a priority area for growth. We have also worked closely with National Tourism Organisations on a project basis to grow the business into their destinations from the GCC. 

We also launched a new series of roadshows in early 2023 which are growing in popularity for the industry across the GCC, Indian Ocean, and beyond. Our first ‘Ahlan Arabia’ roadshow launched in the UAE, with more recent editions expanding to Riyadh and Jeddah. Our ongoing series provides an excellent platform for suppliers and trade partners to engage and grow business opportunities.

Could you share some details about your most recent roadshow for our readers? 

The June editions of Ahlan Arabia saw worldwide partners participating and moving across Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dubai. Over the three days of the roadshows, they met 190 agents across three key GCC markets. The series created a platform of engagement for bedbanks, tour operators, MICE agents, VIP concierges, and more – a mix which suppliers could gain exclusively via this dynamic event.

Why is it important to have representation here in the Middle East? 

The Middle East is a relationship and people driven market. Brands require local presence to cut through the high levels of competition witnessed in the travel industry across the region. The ability to remain close to the travel trade and other local contacts daily provides an edge to a brand and builds loyalty. 

This region also has very specific requirements compared to other parts of the world, and as such, a market expert as part of your team adds immense value through local knowledge and overall revenue growth.

Please share the dnata Representative Services USP/edge/advantage.

dnata Representation Services is an independent business within the dnata Travel Group, part of dnata – one of the world’s leading air and travel services providers. Our core offering is to provide sales, marketing, and PR representation services to partners across the globe from our base here in the UAE. Through the utilization of our teams' wealth of experience in the travel industry and regional knowledge of the GCC, we deliver campaigns for representation partners focused on targeted strategies and tailored marketing solutions. We eliminate any gaps between our partners and their potential clients through direct, strategic support across the region.

Here is a glimpse of a few brands supported by dnata Representation Services:

• Al Raha Beach Hotel, Abu Dhabi, part of Danat Hotels & Resorts, showcased their 278 rooms, suites and villa property offering over 900m of private beach. The property introduced all -inclusive packages, free shuttle to Yas Island and the Grand Mosque.  
• Rotana currently operates a portfolio of over 100 properties throughout the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe and Turkey with much more to come with their aggressive expansion plans.  
• Ayana: Meaning a place of refuge, comprises of five resorts and hotels in Jakarta, Bali and Labuan Bajo and a nine-room Yacht. Ayana Komodo is located on the island where the Komodo Dragon comes from. 
• City of Dreams: Europe’s first-ever integrated Casino Resort opened recently within the outskirts of Limassol in Cyprus.
• Club Med: The Pioneer of the all-inclusive concept offering 70 premium resorts in stunning locations around the world.  
• Columbia Beach Resort: This all- suite property located between Limassol and Paphos is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World.
• Constantinou Bros. Hotels operates 4 and 5 star hotels in Paphos, Cyprus offering a variety of options for families, adults, honeymooners and couples.   
• Luxury Travel: A Luxury DMC in Greece and Cyprus offering a vast variety of travel experience tailor made for clients and including incentive events. They also own their own premium class of cars.  
• Mitis Hotels, a family-owned premium hotel company with 20 properties in Athens, Crete, Kamena Vourla, Kos and Rhodes.
• Movenpick Resort & Spa Jimbaran Bali: A family designed lifestyle resort with rooms and suites offing rejuvenating wellness experiences in a tropical Bali Paradise. 
• Radisson Blu Resort Maldives: An all-villa secluded hidden getaway in the Indian Ocean offering some of the best snorkelling and diving where you can see, just to name one – the whale shark. 
• Riu Hotels & Resorts: A Spanish brand founded more than 70 years ago have close to 100 properties located in 20 countries including Dubai offering all-inclusive holiday experiences.  Look out for their new property opening in 2024 in Mauritius.   
• St Raphael Resort & Marina: Only 40 minutes from both airports in Cyprus, offers a hotel, executive wing, and apartment tower and a private marina all within huge, landscaped gardens and a large Sandy Beach.  
• The Nai Harn Phuket: The only member of Leading Hotels of the World in Phuket, this 5 star resort is nestled into a hillside with direct access to the secluded Nai Harn Bay again the famous Promthep Cape, the scenic viewpoint located in the most southernmost tip of Phuket.
• Warwick Hotels & Resorts: A collection of individual luxury hotels & resorts across 5 continents in France two which are located in iconic locations: The Warwick Paris located between Concorde and Arc de Triomphe and Hôtel Westminster, near Opéra Garnier and Place Vendome. 
• Yalago: Specialising in leisure, founded in 2017, a subsidiary of the Emirates Group, is a global accommodation wholesaler offering a wide product portfolio to travel agents, tour operators, OTAs, airlines and loyalty points.
• Arabian Adventures:  Part of the Emirates Group, has offered personalised service with Arabian hospitality for over 30 years, from desert safaris to sightseeing tours and attractions.