Dubai-based Dnata Agencies this week hosted the Hogg Robinson Group (HRG) at an executive board meeting, providing them the opportunity to meet with key local partners in Dubai for the first time.
The meeting took place at the Dnata Travel Centre and was attended by the HRG Executive Board members and their strategic partners, Dnata Agencies representing HRG UAE, and HRG representatives from India, Spain, Brazil and South Africa.
The meeting provided an open forum for partners to discuss a broad range of topics from regional travel patterns, to sales and IT developments, providing stakeholders with the opportunity to interact at the highest level with the HRG Supervisory Board, strengthen ties and develop improved business methods and co-operation.
Iain Andrew, Senior Vice President, Dnata Agencies, who opened the meeting, said: “This is the first time we’ve hosted this kind of meeting in Dubai. As HRG's Middle East & West Asia Regional Managing Partner, we feel it is important for market representatives to understand one another’s needs and capabilities, in order to maximize value from being part of the HRG network. Our team's in-depth experience and track record in the market continues to grow and the business issues and opportunities discussed at this meeting will no doubt benefit us all.”
With massive business and tourism developments underway in the GCC and across key markets in the Middle East, a bright future lies ahead for providers of travel services. Last year, the Middle East travel industry was estimated to be worth US$150 billion. It is also one of the most dynamic and fast-growing markets worldwide with projected year on year growth of 15 per cent.
This rapid development is what led the HRG directors to select Dubai as the venue for their inaugural meeting with strategic partners, as they wanted to take a closer look at the city that is fast becoming a “driver market” for corporate travel in the region. They were impressed by Dubai’s excellent meeting and conference facilities, tourism developments, as well as Dnata Agencies’ progressive approach and technologically-advanced operations.
David Radcliffe, CEO, HRG said: “We were delighted to be hosted by our partner Dnata Agencies, this meeting was most beneficial for us in understanding our local partners, this region and in particular the UAE market. We believe we have a strong regional managing partner in Dnata Agencies, and a booming market in which to do business. With the support of our industry partners, our own team and the growth of the region, we are confident that HRG and Dnata Agencies will have a very successful future together.”
HRG is the award-winning international corporate services company. Founded in 1845, it has over 60 years specific corporate travel expertise. Its corporate services interests include wholly-owned or majority controlled corporate travel operations in 24 of the key driver and growth markets throughout Asia Pacific, Europe and North America.
Supported by contracted partners, the HRG worldwide network extends to nearly 100 countries. Last year at the Arabian Travel Market, Dnata Agencies signed a partnership agreement to represent HRG’s corporate travel management division in the MEWA (Middle East and West Asia) region.-
