Among the issues reviewed at the a recent professional group joint meeting were: medical facilities at hotel establishments, new photo rule for visas by DNRD, freelance safari drivers, smoking ban at hotel establishments, DTCM requirements for lobby signage and 24 hour coffee shop at five star hotels, live entertainment outdoor and city hotels access to the beach

The Director General of Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), Mr. Khalid A bin Sulayem, chaired the Professional Group Joint Meeting at the Kempinski Mall of the Emirates Hotel recently to review a wide range of tourism-related issues with the industry professionals and officials from other government departments.

At the outset, he praised the tourism industry for posting impressive performance in the year 2007 as well. The meeting was attended among others by Mr. Eyad Ali Abdul Rahman, DTCM Executive Director for Media Relations and Acting Director Business Development, Mr. Khalid bin Touq, DTCM Executive Director Licensing and Classification.

Officials from the Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department (DNRD), Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), Centre of Ambulance Service (COAS), Ministry of Labour (MoL), Dubai Airports and Dubai Police were also present.

Mr. bin Sulayem thanked the coordinators of various tourism industry professional groups for their contribution and presented mementos to them as a token of appreciation. The participating government officials provided information to the tourism industry players on a wide range of issues and took their feedback and suggestions.

Mr. Eyad Ali Abdul Rahman announced that the DTCM has introduced the unified E-Complaint System to attend to grievances of the Dubai visitors. Public can lodge complaints through email, fax or calling toll free number 800 7090.

He thanked the tourism industry, especially hotels and tour operators, for their invaluable contribution in the growth and expansion of the tourism industry in the emirate and raising the standards of service provided to the visitors.