Getting to know GoDubai & Patrick Corriveau

As Dubai continues to grow its reputation as an exciting new vacation spot for Canadian travellers, one Montreal-based company is finding that an enhanced knowledge of the destination – not to mention an understanding of how popular it is about to get – is giving it a significant edge in the Canadian market.

GoDubai, a tour operator specializing group and FIT trips to the city of Dubai, has escorted nearly 2,000 passengers to the Middle East destination since beginning its operations in 2013, and is preparing for many more as big brands continue to increase connectivity and promote the city to the mainstream market.

“We expect that the number of passengers to Dubai will increase by 75 per cent by the year 2020,” Patrick Corriveau, sales manager, tells PAX in a one-on-one interview. “Agents who may not have received much interest in travel to Dubai in the past can expect to start getting a lot of questions about it within this year, and so it’s in their best interest to learn as much as they can.”

That, he says, is where GoDubai comes in. Although its head office is located in Quebec, 80 per cent of its business has recently been coming from Ontario. As a result, the company is looking to increase its presence in the province, and plans to begin hosting meetings and informational sessions to agencies looking to learn more about Dubai this summer.

“Our goal is to help travel agents get to know the destination,” Corriveau explains, going on to say that despite its increasing reputation as a world-class city, many people still have misconceived notions about Dubai that require clarification.

“Some people hesitate travelling to [the UAE] because they think there are too many restrictions on things you can do... They think you have to dress a certain way, and that it’s dangerous, but it’s simply not true.”

According to Corriveau, Dubai has a .02 per cent crime rate, and is in fact a lot more open and accessible than other popular cities, boasting a widely progressive attitude as a result of its diverse cultural population.

And in spite of its reputation as a place of splendour and expense, the sales manager points out, it’s also considerably budget-friendly – if you know where to go.

“You can travel to Dubai and live the life of the rich and famous for a very reasonable price,” Corriveau says. “The touristy places are easy to find, but to see the real Dubai, to meet the locals, eat great food and find the best shopping… it helps to know someone who lives there.”

GoDubai offers 14 different package options with different lengths of stay available for a variety of prices, such as a nine-day trip being offered for $1,695 that includes airfare, accommodation, transfers and breakfasts. Of course, some people travel to Dubai specifically to enjoy its infamously ‘high-roller’ lifestyle, in which case, GoDubai can help with that, too.

The tour operator prides itself on its VIP exclusive events, luxury yacht tours in the Palm, and dinners at the Armani Hotel, available through its Land and Sea and Hidden Diamond of the Middle East, Oman packages.

For Corriveau, no matter what the traveller’s tastes, the key to experiencing Dubai is to have a local showing the way.

“The best part about GoDubai is the knowledge we have of the destination,” he says, explaining that the company makes a point of having a regular presence in the city; with Corriveau himself residing there six months out of the year, ensuring that clients receive the most personalized service possible, and are taken to all the right places.

“There’s so much to know about Dubai,” he says, noting that the size and span of its attractions, restaurants, beaches and hotels makes being an expert on the destination a valuable commodity. “Clients are starting to have a lot of expectations about the city, but they also don’t really know very much about it. A big part of my job is to educate agents, so when their clients start showing more interest and asking questions, they’ll be ready.”

Group sales are expected to be a big sell but a surprising fact that travel consultants may find interesting is that Dubai typically attracts a broad range of age groups, from semi-retired and retired travellers looking for an elegant and cultural getaway to young professionals in their early thirties who are drawn in by the city’s exciting nightlife.

“Now, you can go to Dubai for a week, all-inclusive, for $3,000,” Corriveau says, pointing out that the city’s beaches and consistently sunny climate makes it an agreeable alternative to the Caribbean destinations that Canadians typically seek. “It’s an incredible culture. You can go for the beach and the food, but you can also experiment in totally new things while you’re there. There’s always something new coming out.”

Corriveau is preparing to visit Ontario for a week each month from August to November (when he’ll depart for Dubai’s high season), and is beginning to book appointments with travel experts in Ontario who want to learn more about the destination.

He’s available for private meetings or team presentations, and encourages interested parties to contact him via email (patrick@godubai.ca) or by phone (438-398-0037).

For more information on GoDubai, visit www.godubai.ca.