May 20 – Destination management companies (DMCs) have expressed their concern regarding the new ruling from Dubai Airport that prevents the former from meeting and greeting their clients at the airport. Instead, they are required to pay a fee to Marhaba – part of the Emirates Group – to carry out the service on their behalf.
The new law came into place on April 1 and DMCs say the regulation will adversely affect their profit margins. Marbaha said that access for “tour operators and hotels had been removed so that the airport didn’t become too crowded.”
Ali Helmi, CEO of Net Tours said: “There are some funny laws coming out right now – for example we cannot meet and greet our own customers at the airport. We are forced and obliged to sign a contract with Marhaba. We have no choice but to pay the fees to them.”
The standard meet-and-greet service provided by Marhaba costs AED90 per person, while the premium or diamond service costs AED150 per person. Marhaba offers a discount for a group of over 10 people of AED70 per person.
