São Paulo – Brazilians are discovering more about the Arab nations, not just in trade, but also in tourism. In two years, participation of packages to the Middle East rose from 1.6% of the operator’s global sales to 11% last year. Currently, the Arab countries are the second main destination for the operator, losing only to Europe.
According to the exotic destinations manager at Queensberry, Márcia Sztajn, among the main factors contributing to this growth are the direct flight from São Paulo to Dubai, by Emirates airline, the greater promotion of Dubai in the media and the curiosity of Brazilians with regard to Islam and the Arab world. “Brazilians have discovered that Asia exists,” said Sztajn.
The travel operator has been working with Arab destinations for over 10 years, with Egypt and Jordan being responsible for most sales of tours to the region. “Dubai has already exceeded the demand for Egypt,” said Sztajn, who believes that with the start of operations of the Emirates flight, sales of Arab destinations grew. “Brazilian clients have excellent acceptance of the Middle East,” she added.
According to the manager, Dubai offers excellent infrastructure, it is a country that is economically open and is an excellent place for shopping. “It is part of the Brazilian profile,” she said. Currently, Queensberry offers several packages of trips to the Arab nations, which may be in individual or group routes. Among the packages are “The thousand and one faces of the Emirates and the Sultanate of Oman”, for 15 days and 13 nights, “The secrets of Dubai and the desert of Arabia”, for 9 days and 7 nights, “Jewels of the Persian Gulf”, for 13 days and 11 nights, and “The splendorous Dubai and the magic Sultanate of Oman”, 13 days and 11 nights, among other destinations including Syria, Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Tunisia and Morocco.
In the case of North Africa alone, which includes several Arab countries, like Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco, participation in the operator’s sales have also risen. In 2006, the countries of the region represented 3.22% of total sales, rising to 4.24% last year.
One of the differentials Queensberry packages offer to Brazilians is a local guide who speaks Portuguese. “They are professionals who know the region and have great experience,” said Sztajn. According to her, one of the sectors that the operator works in and that is also successful is the Grupos Brasileiros no Mundo (GBM – Brazilians Worldwide Group), which offers 45 options of destinations on the five continents. “Brazilians have a different way of travelling (when compared to people of other nationalities) and we prepare trips in groups created specifically for them,” said the manager.
In low season, from March to December, Queensberry sells five packages of GBM trips to the Arab nations. The packages leave on four or five different dates in the season and include on average 30 people. “That is not to mention the individual trips, cruises and other packages,” said Sztajn.
A curious fact, according to the manager, is that most packages to the Arab countries are sought by women. “They are the main candidates. It is a daring principle. They like exotic destinations,” said the manager.
Diversification
Over the last two years, it has not been only Arab destinations that presented great growth in Queensberry packages. In 2006, for example, the participation of South America in total company sales represented 10.2% and was in the second place in the operator’s ranking. Last year, the South American destinations had participation of 5.25%. Among the regions that presented growth these two years are Asia and South Africa.
Over 35 years
Travel operator Queensberry was established in London in 1972 to supply and guide Brazilian tourists in the United Kingdom. As time went by, the operator expanded and also started attracting tourists from other European destinations, always offering individual programs or groups for Brazilians. With the success of the trips, the company transferred its offices to Brazil, in 1981. Today, the operator works directly with travel agencies and offers packages to five continents.
Contact
Queensberry
Site: www.queensberry.com.br
*Translated by Mark Ament
