In December, 25 American travel professionals traveled to the United Arab Emirates and Oman for a 12-day tour to learn about the region’s growing tourist infrastructure. The group met in Dubai on Dec. 4 and included senior travel agents, travel agency owners and the entire sales team from Ya’lla Tours USA. The itinerary covered everything from modern engineering in Dubai to traditional village life in Oman, and agents visited grand mosques, palaces, traditional markets and ancient frankincense ports. The UAE and Oman both offer modern, luxury hotels that provide the amenities and comforts of top-notch Western properties, excellent tour guides and a variety of dining options.
“I was especially impressed with the diversity of the region,” Ya’lla Tours Midwest sales manager Rich Davis said. “One day, you’re looking out over an ultra-modern city from the world’s tallest building, and the next day you’re in the desert having tea with Bedouins. The contrasts are fascinating.”
