Abdullah Al Harbi, CEO, Eye of Dubai

International event seeks to increase investments and promote year-round tourism in the Gulf

Eye of Dubai, the premiere comprehensive tourism and investment guidebook and online portal for Dubai residents and visitors, has announced that it has been named as the exclusive marketing channel of the annual Gulf Investment and Tourism Forum (GITOF), which will be held at the Jeddah Hilton, Saudi Arabia from February 17-19, 2008.

Eye of Dubai''s appointment is predicted to considerably boost GITOF''s campaign to promote the Gulf as a year-round tourist destination, as stated in the event''s theme ''Round the Year Tourism''. GITOF, which will gather local, regional and international investors, will showcase a broad range of products and presentations of exciting attractions and recreational facilities in the Gulf, in line with the region''s thrust of increasing activities in tourism, which is considered one of several high-growth industries in the region.

“Eye of Dubai relishes its exclusive role in GITOF 2008, as it is in line with our mission of helping attract new investments and further develop the tourism sector of the Middle East. Having one of the region''s biggest and most visited online portals, particularly in the fields of tourism and investment, we will help drum up interest for the event and also provide interactive services and significant information, which will be of great value to interested participants,” said Abdullah Al Harbi, CEO, Eye of Dubai.

Eye of Dubai''s prestigious role as exclusive GITOF 2008 marketing agent is part of a strategic move to partner with high-profile exhibitions and events in the region to optimise the guidebook''s readership. Eye of Dubai will feature the event in its equally informative website (www.eyeofdubai.com), which has been designed to provide interactive services and valuable information related to business, social activities, lifestyle and financial news.

Eye of Dubai has been a recipient of several awards, including ‘Best Website of the Year,’ ‘Gold Award for Best Travel and Tourism Website’ and ‘Gold Award for Directories and Info Services’ at the 2007 UAE Web Wards. It also won ‘Best Strategic Website for Travel and Tourism,’ ''International Standards Web technology Award’ and ‘Gold Award for Best Travel and Tourism Website'' during the Pan Arab Web Awards 2007.

GITOF 2008 is under the patronage of H.R.H. Prince Khaled Bin Faisal Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, Governor of Makkah Province in western Saudi Arabia, which includes Islam''s holiest city Mecca, as well as Saudi Arabia''s main seaport and second largest city Jeddah. The event is co-organised by the Gulf Tourism Committee and the Federation of GCC Chambers, in cooperation with the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry. For more information, visit www.gitof.com.