Dubai sees stronger incentive demand from Indonesia, Singapore

Mulyanto: word-of-mouth driving incentive interest

Outbound business event agents from Indonesia and Singapore are reporting a growing demand for incentive trips to Dubai, spurred mainly by improved destination promotion as well as a desire for new places.

Speaking to TTGmice on the sidelines of an ongoing trade fam trip organised by Dubai Business Events, Richard Mulyanto, supervisor, International Events & Corporate Incentive with Jakarta-based Golden Rama, said Dubai has become a “hot” destination for incentives due to word-of-mouth marketing, with the company recording a 20 per cent year-on-year increase in incentive business to the emirate.

Mulyanto: word-of-mouth driving incentive interest

“When one company travels to Dubai, it attracts others to follow,” he said.

Beny, supervisor, operation management of Jakarta-based Panorama JTB, revealed that his company’s “biggest incentive group” was a 700-pax movement from a multi-level marketing company that “chose Dubai because they were looking for a new destination”.

Mulyanto said Dubai’s new theme parks such as IMG Worlds of Adventure, Dubai Parks and Resorts integrated resort, and the lure of a desert safari adventure are all magnets for clients wanting an incentive programme.

Meanwhile, Singapore-based MICE Matters project executive, Nigel Ng, said Singapore corporate companies that have previously organised incentives to Europe and the US now see Dubai as a new option.

He said: “Dubai provides a whole new experience, (due to) the (destination’s) cultural and historical aspects. Most incentives will be 5D/4N and it usually ends with a gala dinner. I usually advise clients to stay in an average-priced hotel, and spend on tours and gala dinner (instead).”

For Lynn Ng, director of business development at Singapore-based Events Master, Dubai is perceived as an opulent destination and it attracts high-end clients from the banking and insurance sectors.

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