Farayand Virtual World

* DUBAI TAPPING ITALIAN INVESTORS

The Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) is continuing its aggressive promotion and marketing in European markets and has made its presence felt in Italy through its first time participation in the prestigious 'Cuore Verde Endurance Cup' held in Perugia from July 14 to 16.

Italy is one of the key markets for Dubai and the emirate has seen an increasing number of visitors in recent years. Dubai hotel establishment guests from Italy registered a 38.5 per cent increase in 2004 over the previous year.

DTCM was one of the sponsors of the Cup and in order to effectively tap the growing interest of Italian businessmen in Dubai, it displayed an exhibit with a stand during the forum conference held about Dubai and Nakheel investment opportunities in addition to an Arab tent during the race in order to distribute Dubai brochures to all the visitors.

The DTCM Manager Overseas Promotions, Mr. Khalifa Ali Buamaim, represented the department at one of the most-celebrated and highly-valued events in the global equestrian calendar, which attracted racing enthusiasts from around the world.

The Cup was part of a three-day event including a grand gala opening event on July 14 and the "Go to Dubai" conference on July 15 to promote Dubai as an investment destination.

The event, held under the patronage of His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Minister of Defence, was attended by over 500 VIPs including executives of top Umbria and Italian companies, entrepreneurs and politicians.
The race was supported and organized by the Umbria Endurance Equestrian Team (UEET) and the Emirates International Endurance Racing (EIER), which, under the patronage of General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, organizes endurance races in Dubai and other destinations.

Nearly 100 horses participated in the Cup in which the UAE team was represented by Mr. Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman Nakheel, the company which is developing iconic projects like The World and The Palm.

He who rode a horse from Sheikh Mohammed's stable. The race was split into four phases and tracked a distance totaling 120km.

(Source:www.Gulf News.com)