Further underlining the UAE’s reputation as a strong travel and tourism market, a leading travel company has stated that current summer trends signal a further increase above the forecasted growth in airline bookings for the rest of the year, with leisure travel growing beyond expectations.
Pointing to a 25 percent increase in its summer business, Sharjah National Travel & Tourist Agency (SNTTA), one of the leading travel companies in the region and a member of the Dubai-based Liberty Investment Company, said that its sales had exceeded QII 2005 forecast and was boosted mainly by an unprecedented 20 percent surge in leisure travel, over the corresponding period last year.
A top SNTTA official pointed out that while business and corporate travel maintained a healthy growth, leisure travel showed a remarkable recovery with the trend growing popular with families. He added that recent developments in Europe and the Middle East forced leisure travelers to explore alternate destinations such as Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.
The rising cost of living continued to dictate travel trends, with passengers preferring affordable packages to exotic destinations, pointed out Zafar Imam, General Manager of SNTTA-Sharjah. “Travel is an important part of the lifestyle in this region and planned leisure trips for the entire family are gaining increasing importance,” added Imam. “As more and more people in the GCC warm up to the idea of leisure travel, it is becoming obvious that customers want value-for-money packages that offer maximum opportunities for entertainment, shopping, places of interest while remaining within reasonable budgets.”
At the same time, SNTTA also announced that it had successfully concluded its 75-day-long “Fly Free Anywhere” promotion that allowed its retail customers the opportunity to win back the entire amount of the ticket they purchase at any of the eight participating SNTTA outlets in Sharjah, including those in Dhaid, Khorfakkan and Kalba.
During the campaign, retail customers were offered the opportunity to win 75 air tickets in 75 days, along with the chance to enter into a grand draw, where one lucky customer stood to win a 2005 Chevrolet Epica. To be eligible for the promotion, customers had to purchase their tickets from any of the participating SNTTA outlets, with each ticket accompanied by a raffle coupon, regardless of the amount spent on the ticket.
In the presence of top SNTTA management this week, a senior official of Sharjah Economic Department picked out the name of Sultan A. Shehail, a UAE national, as the lucky winner of the grand prize – the 2005 Chevrolet Epica.
Imam stated that the promotion received an overwhelming response from the region’s customers, with more than 25,000 coupons entered into the final draw. “SNTTA prides itself on having a large family of loyal customers, who have played a vital role in consolidating our reputation as one of the leading travel and tourism companies in the region,” he added. “Our ‘Fly Free Anywhere’ promotion is our way of thanking them for their unstinted support. “
In June this year, SNTTA was also awarded the Sharjah Economic Excellence Award in the Tourism category by the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce & Industry, recognizing its leadership in the travel and tourism sector.
SNTTA is the General Sales Agent for 12 international airlines and transportation companies such as Emirates Airlines, Kuwait Airways, Royal Jordanian, Pakistan International Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Sri Lankan Airlines, Sudan Airways, Iraqi Airways, Shaheen Air, Air Malta and Indian Railways, and franchise partner of American Express Travel Services.
SNTTA is also Passenger Sales Agent (PSA) for all international airlines that operate to and out of the UAE. As an important service provider, SNTTA offices and call center are open 365 days of the year.
