UAE-based travel agents conference reveals value-for-money Olympics deals during 2012

VisitBritain, in association with Tourism Ireland and VisitScotland, will hold travel trade workshops in Abu Dhabi and Dubai during February to reveal to UAE-based travel agents the key offerings that will see Gulf travellers flock to the UK for a year that marks a decade of world-class sporting events.

The VisitBritain event, to be held in Abu Dhabi on 14th February, will be an opportunity for new and established companies from the UK and Ireland – among them shopping giants Harrods, Selfridges, Westfield, and McArthur Glen Designer outlets from Britain, and hospitality majors Ritz-Carlton Powerscourt and the Westbury Hotel of Ireland – to showcase their latest travel and tourism products during a year that will firmly place the UK on the international sporting calendar.

The significance of the travel trade event will be marked by the presence of Chris Foy, head of 2012 Olympics. Foy has previously commented that “the 2012 Games will be by far the biggest thing to hit UK tourism in living memory”, highlighting to regional travel agents the value-for-money deals available to Middle East holidaymakers visiting Britain this year.

It is not only the Olympic Games that will draw Middle East visitors to UK shores. Ahead of the Olympics in July is the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Weekend between 2nd and 5th June. The four-day celebrations include the River Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant and hundreds of art and culture events taking place all over the UK.

“2012 is a year of celebration for the UK, and visitors from the UAE are invited to take part,” said Carol Maddison, VisitBritain’s manager for the UAE. “The UK’s capital, London, is playing host to many of the major events - the Olympic Games, the Queen’s Jubilee  - but the entire nation will be involved, even the smallest communities in far-flung corners of the country. This is an important year for Great Britain, and everyone has a part to play.”