Alpha Tours, the leading Dubai-based destination management company (DMC) has announced the launch of its first outbound travel company, Alpha Holidays.

Ê

This move comes as Alpha Tours embarks on a regional growth strategy that should see its presence in the Middle East market increase exponentially over the next five years.

Ê

According to Rajeev Chowdhry, the newly appointed general manager of Alpha Holidays, there is a niche in the local market for a turnkey holiday operation, but at competitive prices.

Ê

He said: “There has never been a better time for a company like ours to launch. Regional travel is booming all year round, while international travel continues to rise, albeit on a more seasonal basis.

Ê

“Meanwhile, international travellers are becoming increasingly market-aware, and price-conscious. They want holiday packages that are customised to their requirements - and at value for money, whether a budget family holiday or a luxury corporate retreat.”

Ê

Chowdhry tipped intra-regional tourism and short-haul destinations from Arabia for further growth. He said: “Regional travel will always remain our primary consideration, and any introduction of a single GCC visa and currency will see this multiply.”

Ê

Further afield, he identified China, Eastern Europe and North and West Africa as emerging markets outbound from the Middle East. “Looking ahead to 2005, and we see real potential for business in Lebanon, Malaysia, UK, France and Spain by 2005, and adding China, Tunisia and the Czech Republic by 2010.”

Ê

Alpha Holidays’ core business is wholesale, and therefore Alpha Tours’ key alliances with the regional travel trade provide an excellent database to start. “Our parent company Alpha Tours already services key accounts to the UAE from the region, and servicing these clients and their peers will be our immediate short-term objective.

Ê

“Over the longer-term, we will harness the global reach of web-based solutions and believe that our ability to buy global services from one source, whether in-bound or outbound, will see both companies grow exponentially,” added Chowdhry.

Ê

According to Chowdhry, an absence of a formal airline affiliation means Alpha Holidays can source the best holiday packages for customers, whether terms of pricing or convenience.

Ê

“This personalised attention, coupled with a solid network of alliances through the international travel trade enables our team to negotiate better deals with suppliers.

Ê

“Arabia is one of the fastest-growing consumer markets for tourism and hospitality (T&H) and I believe that carefully structured product offering and pricing strategy will see a win-win situation for ourselves and our customers,” he concluded.

Ê

Alpha Holidays covers more than 60 destinations, and services include accommodation at more than 3,000 hotels worldwide, special interest tours, inclusive holiday packages, private charters through the sister company ExecuJet, and destination management services to the UAE through Alpha Tours.

Ê
——-