Being unique is the key to Dubai's growth
Being unique is the key to Dubai’s growth in all spheres of activities, Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman of Dubai World, the global holding company, said in his keynote speech at the 8th Global Travel and Tourism Summit at Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai today .
Addressing the session on ‘The Industry is Smart and It’s Getting Smarter,” Bin Sulayem said that Dubai took exceptional initiatives that many regarded as “crazy” at the time, but later proved to be successful.
He stressed the importance of being innovative and highlighted some of the glorious success stories that Dubai came up with in its march towards becoming a great business and tourist destination.
Bin Sulayem sited the example of Jebel Ali Port, which was once regarded as an unrealistic venture, but later proved the critics and analysis wrong by growing to become one of the biggest and busiest container terminal ports in the world. The port is now one of the main pillars of Dubai’s economic development.
Another successful initiative in the early 1990s, he noted, was the establishment of Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), which formulated the comprehensive plan for the Emirate’s travel and tourism development with a vision for the future.
Dubai developed a fully integrated tourism offer by building a world class infrastructure, airports, airlines, ports and cruise terminals and hotels that are recognised the world-over.
However, there is nothing to beat the concept of Dubai’s new waterfront projects as far as uniqueness is concerned, he told the summit, which included leaders and decision makers from the travel and tourism industry, senior government officials and other dignitaries.
Referring to the brilliantly innovative projects such as The Palm Islands and The World launched by Nakheel, the urban development arm of Dubai World, Bin Sulayem told the Summit about what began as a small idea in the late 1990s to add a few extra kilometres to Dubai's shoreline, blossomed into one of the most astonishing achievements for the Emirate.
The idea was to increase Dubai’s beachfront to attract more tourists. The palm tree design was only incidental, Bin Sulayem recalled. What was more important was that we could add 70 kilometres of new beach to Dubai’s coastline.
“Back then, everybody was investing in Dubai’s real estate sector, but the challenge for Nakheel, as an urban developer, was to develop something unique in the sea, different from what was generally on offer,” Bin Sulayem underlined.
He spoke about the role of innovation in overcoming the environmental challenges that were associated with The Palm project, making a reference to the positive impact the project eventually had on the marine life. He specifically talked about Nakheel’s most laudable initiative, the Blue Communities, and its long term aim to provide leadership in the development of sustainable coastal communities which will ultimately lead to guidelines on coastal development.
He stressed the need for innovation to inspire ideas and technology to provide the answers to modern-day global challenges. It is technology that has enabled us to create such wonders of the world as The Palm Jumeirah, he said.
He also referred to the development of Dubai’s airport and the launching of Emirates, the airline that offers top class luxury to travellers.
The Chairman of Dubai World shed light on the ambitious plans to enhance Dubai’s luxury hotel industry and increase the number of hotel rooms manifold to accommodate the growing number of visitors.
Jean-Claude Baumgarten, President and Chief Executive Officer of World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), the organisers of the Summit, presented a gift to Bin Sulayem at the end of his keynote speech.
The two-day Summit, aimed at facilitating an open exchange of ideas among industry and government on the responsibilities that the travel and tourism sector should exercise as its global influence increases. Source
Addressing the session on ‘The Industry is Smart and It’s Getting Smarter,” Bin Sulayem said that Dubai took exceptional initiatives that many regarded as “crazy” at the time, but later proved to be successful.
He stressed the importance of being innovative and highlighted some of the glorious success stories that Dubai came up with in its march towards becoming a great business and tourist destination.
Bin Sulayem sited the example of Jebel Ali Port, which was once regarded as an unrealistic venture, but later proved the critics and analysis wrong by growing to become one of the biggest and busiest container terminal ports in the world. The port is now one of the main pillars of Dubai’s economic development.
Another successful initiative in the early 1990s, he noted, was the establishment of Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), which formulated the comprehensive plan for the Emirate’s travel and tourism development with a vision for the future.
Dubai developed a fully integrated tourism offer by building a world class infrastructure, airports, airlines, ports and cruise terminals and hotels that are recognised the world-over.
However, there is nothing to beat the concept of Dubai’s new waterfront projects as far as uniqueness is concerned, he told the summit, which included leaders and decision makers from the travel and tourism industry, senior government officials and other dignitaries.
Referring to the brilliantly innovative projects such as The Palm Islands and The World launched by Nakheel, the urban development arm of Dubai World, Bin Sulayem told the Summit about what began as a small idea in the late 1990s to add a few extra kilometres to Dubai's shoreline, blossomed into one of the most astonishing achievements for the Emirate.
The idea was to increase Dubai’s beachfront to attract more tourists. The palm tree design was only incidental, Bin Sulayem recalled. What was more important was that we could add 70 kilometres of new beach to Dubai’s coastline.
“Back then, everybody was investing in Dubai’s real estate sector, but the challenge for Nakheel, as an urban developer, was to develop something unique in the sea, different from what was generally on offer,” Bin Sulayem underlined.
He spoke about the role of innovation in overcoming the environmental challenges that were associated with The Palm project, making a reference to the positive impact the project eventually had on the marine life. He specifically talked about Nakheel’s most laudable initiative, the Blue Communities, and its long term aim to provide leadership in the development of sustainable coastal communities which will ultimately lead to guidelines on coastal development.
He stressed the need for innovation to inspire ideas and technology to provide the answers to modern-day global challenges. It is technology that has enabled us to create such wonders of the world as The Palm Jumeirah, he said.
He also referred to the development of Dubai’s airport and the launching of Emirates, the airline that offers top class luxury to travellers.
The Chairman of Dubai World shed light on the ambitious plans to enhance Dubai’s luxury hotel industry and increase the number of hotel rooms manifold to accommodate the growing number of visitors.
Jean-Claude Baumgarten, President and Chief Executive Officer of World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), the organisers of the Summit, presented a gift to Bin Sulayem at the end of his keynote speech.
The two-day Summit, aimed at facilitating an open exchange of ideas among industry and government on the responsibilities that the travel and tourism sector should exercise as its global influence increases. Source
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