The company, which also offers high-end holidays to exotic destinations like The Maldives, Mauritius, Thailand and Bali, was hosting a lunch for the Travel Press in Belfast when Managing Director Niel Alobaidi vowed to raise the profile of the company in the Province by promoting its direct departures from Dublin using Sterling.
He said: “According to Dublin Airport Authority, 1.2 million Northern Ireland residents used Dublin Airport in 2017. This demonstrates that Dublin Airport is a key gateway for eastbound travel and it was therefore a natural progression to expand our offering and introduce the option for Northern Ireland customers to be able to book in Sterling and fly direct from Dublin to Dubai and beyond.
“Until recently, our Northern Ireland customers wanting to pay in Sterling had to fly from Belfast to another UK airport to be able to connect with an Emirates flight to Dubai and beyond.
“This added greatly to our customers’ travel time, so we are confident that our new service will be a welcome addition to the market, creating a seamless travel experience with just one direct flight, with a double daily service, between Dublin and Dubai.”
Emirates Holidays has been operating internationally since 2013 and is present in almost 40 markets. In the last three years the company has demonstration growth of 500 per cent, and is anticipating similar results across the island of Ireland as it rolls out phase two of its European expansion plan, having already launched in the Republic earlier this year.
Emirates Holidays get about 20 per cent of their business through travel agents working with the Advantage Group which in Northern Ireland has independent agents in the Consort group under its wing.
The demand for Dubai has grown exponentially with 15.8 million visitors to the city in 2017 compared to just 2.8 million in 2000. Emirates Holidays offers easy access to premier 4 and 5-star packages, via Dublin Airport, with optional add-ons specific to their needs.
With a strong focus on value for money, customers will have increased choice at their fingertips with the company focusing particular efforts on Dubai in support of Dubai tourism vision for 2020. However, the company will also offer inclusive holiday packages beyond Dubai, including honeymoon destinations such as Mauritius and The Maldives, and as with all packages, a deposit of just £100 secures a booking.
Emirates Holidays operates independently of Emirates Airline, but exclusively uses Emirates for all holiday flights, meaning holidaymakers are guaranteed flights with the award-winning airline as part of their package.
Niel Alobaidi added: “Emirates Holidays wants to make it easy for Northern Ireland travellers to find the perfect tailormade package that suits them. Whether it’s a family holiday, a couple’s break, or a solo adventure, Dubai is a great choice destination that has something for everyone.
“From spectacular golf courses to incredible restaurants and beautiful beaches, and from thrilling theme parks to visiting the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, you will be absolutely spoilt for choice. Throw in year-round sunshine and I think it’s safe to say you have the perfect holiday destination.”
Some plusses of booking an Emirates Holiday include:
* All holidays include a hotel stay as standard at a 4 or 5-star hotel.
* All customers staying in Dubai receive a complimentary Meet & Greet service when they arrive, including an airside Emirate Holidays escort through Dubai Airport.
* Transfers, excursions, attractions and other optional activities are also available and can be added either through the website or call centre.
* When staying in Dubai for three nights or more, customers will receive complimentary tickets to Dubai’s largest theme park, Dubai Parks and Resorts.
