Dubai Tourisms website and mobile app were given an exclusive preview for media and delegates on day one of GITEX Technology Week, the largest ICT event in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia held at the Dubai World Trade Centre (12-16 October 2014). The online platforms are being unveiled to garner opinions and feedback from technology-expert GITEX attendees as part of the Smart Dubai Government exhibit in Sheikh Saeed Hall.

The Dubai Tourism stand has been designed around the visitor journey from an interactive digital perspective that includes behaviour prior to and during booking, as well as on arrival at their chosen destination. The newly previewed website showcases a significantly enhanced experience which incorporates the new Dubai city brand identity unveiled earlier this year at Arabian Travel Market. It will provide a much more engaging, informative and intuitive experience for visitors as well as rich content designed for multiple audiences including business and leisure travellers, travel trade professionals and media.

The preview of the mobile app showcases how a traveller can use mobile technology to enhance their travel experience; and includes a location enabler which alerts visitors to special deals, offers and attractions in Dubai using new beacon technology.

The Dubai Tourism team is committed to the Smart City strategy announced in March 2014 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and will deliver targeted initiatives across the city to enhance the visitor experience.

Issam Abdul Rahim Kazim, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, said: Todays global traveller expects to be connected at all-time wherever they go. Dubai recognises this need and we are responding with a strategic emirate-wide approach to becoming a true technology innovator.

Dubai is a global tourism leader seeking to become the worlds most visited city and attract more than 20 million guests per year by 2020. Being a pioneer in technology is critical to maintaining our leadership and we are here at GITEX to champion the Smart City Strategy as a future tourism driver.

Technology and connectivity have incredible potential to enhance the tourism experience as exemplified by our new website whether it is used to boost consideration prior to booking to help create customized itineraries once a booking has been made, to provide a virtual tour guide on arrival, or to share personal travel experiences with friends and family through social media. Technology is not only changing how and why we travel; but it also has the potential to influence where we choose to travel which is why it is an imperative enabler for marketing and promotions.

The Dubai Tourism @ GITEX Technology Week stand is located in Sheikh Saeed Hall 3 S2-S3/A21 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.