Emirates, Dubai Tourism bag awards

Dubai's Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) has won the Best International Tourism Board award at the maiden Galileo Express Travel and Tourism Awards Ceremony held here yesterday.

The best international airlines award went to The Emirates. The Best International Tourism Board award was given away by the Union minister of tourism and culture, Jagmohan, to Carl Vaz, country head, India, DTCM.

During the first half of 2003-04, the number of Indian tourists visiting Dubai grew by 14 per cent, to 100,741. In 2002-03, the number was at 300,484, up 38 per cent from 2001-02.

DTCM aims to attract 15 million tourists by 2010 from all over the world.

The department has been operating in India for the past six years. Its main objectives include promotion of bilateral commerce and tourism through presentations, road shows, advertising, sales meetings and media education programmes.