a DMC, or destination management company in Dubai
can manage all the minute elements of a destination, such as accommodations, resources, activities and attractions, and logistics, to name a few. Thanks to the comprehensive and coordinated strategy, they can well cater to the travel requirements of every interest, be it corporate, leisure, or group travel.The good news is there is no shortage of destination management companies in Dubai, but the catch is finding the best among them. Read on to make this task easier; consider the following factors or characteristics that determine the high-standard quality of a DMC in Dubai or the UAE.
1. Reputation and Experience
As Amazon’s founder once said, “A brand for a company is like a reputation for a person. You earn reputation by trying to do hard things well.”
One of the first things to take into account when choosing a DMC is to check everything from its evolution and how long it has been active in the industry to how well it served their audience even in the toughest phases like pandemics, recessions, etc. A destination partner with an established or proven track record gives you confidence and absolute peace of mind. With impressive knowledge about destinations and incredible experience, they take all the speculation and stress out of researching and analyzing the various options available for all types of travel experiences.
2. Comprehensiveness
The primary purpose of hiring a DMC is to receive all the benefits of working with a destination expert. They must be trusted travel specialists well aware of the nitty-gritty of a destination. Not to mention, your chosen destination management company should be a one-stop solution provider for all your unique travel and destination management needs. From planning your entire travel program to taking care of all the minor and major elements of your travel (including accommodation, logistic arrangement, activity planning, etc.), they must be well-equipped to assist you in every stage of the exploration of your destination. Another highlight of a professional destination service provider is that it cuts down on third-party interference as much as possible; it avoids all unnecessary chaos and further guarantees incredible cost saving benefits.
3. Accreditations & Awards
This aspect is as inevitable as considering your destination management provider’s years of experience and expertise. So don’t overlook this factor; be sure to check whether your DMC carries any prestigious accreditations or is certified by a recognized industry body. For instance, if a destination management company is ISO-certified, it indicates that its organization has a consistent, professional, and systematic system in place, which assures of the efficiency, reliability, and improved value of their products and services.
It is equally vital to check if your desired DMC is an award-winning company. With that being said, the credibility of the awards must not be neglected. A destination management company, with recognitions awarded on the basis of an unbiased public voting system, such as TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award, ensures both the quality and authenticity of such accolades.
4. Exceptional Booking Experience
It is another distinguishing feature of a professional destination management company. Yes, they should provide an appealing, engaging, and feature-rich online booking platform that is extremely simple and easy to use as well. There must be staples like high-definition images (that offer an overview of a place or an accommodation), secured payment processing, and customizable automated emails (to send confirmations, reminders, travel essentials, etc.).
Besides allowing for effortless third-party integration and a channel management system, it must also come with excellent reporting features, multiple currency and language options, and easily navigable calendars. To guarantee a seamless and high-end customer experience, the online booking system of a destination should be well integrated and offer after sale customer support.
All these elements are especially beneficial for travel agents, tour operators, and small and medium travel companies that count on a destination management company to grow their businesses.
5. Exclusive Rates and Perquisites
A well-known destination management company would definitely have strong industry tie-ups and collaborations, resulting in special rates and exclusive perks for its users. Yes, it can prove favorable for its clients, partners, and other interested parties, as it allows them to secure an accommodation, a flight or airport transfer booking, a coveted meeting venue, or a package for a fraction of its original value. Add to this a satisfactory terms of agreement and cancellation policy that helps for easy additions, eliminations, or amendments to your online reservations. Apparently, the more established and experienced your destination management company is, the more you can benefit from its services.
6. Efficiency and Security of Technology
It is one of the top factors to consider when narrowing down the qualities of a good destination management company. Most high-end destination management companies automate and streamline their booking processes. Add to these user-friendly features that gather and evaluate relevant data from diverse suppliers and sources, which make the whole travel planning and execution process a breeze. In other words, it lets the user compare prices, collate, and book all elements of their holiday or travel on a convenient, single platform, such as hotel reservations, airline bookings, airport transfers, and sightseeing tours. Apart from the above characteristics, a tech-savvy DMC mostly has a dedicated in-house technical department to ensure both the users’ data privacy and the top-notch functioning of their online travel inventories.
7. Personalized Offerings with Flexible Policies
Whether you are traveling for leisure or business purposes, a custom, tailor-made travel solution will make a lot of difference. Therefore, your favorite DMC must be able to offer a vast spectrum of travel options, accommodations, etc., which would cater to both your preference and pocket. Along with this, a destination management company should have a simple, flexible, and transparent travel policy in place, thus allowing for effortless amendments or cancellations of your bookings. It is especially vital in this post-pandemic phase, where the travel concept and landscape have changed tremendously.
8. 24/7 Customer Support System
Be sure to check if the operations of your preferred destination management company are backed by an exclusive and experienced customer support team that answers all your destination-related concerns or queries in real time on a 24/7 basis, both during and after your travel. With a combination of embedded messaging options, live chats, and easy-to-fill-out online query forms, they should make sure that much-needed assistance during any part of their customers’ travel is just a simple click or a quick chat away. The right and efficient travel solutions (available on hand) allow for an exceptionally safe and stress-free travel experience.
9. Easy Access to Out-of-the-Way Marketing Tools
Yes, this factor is highly significant, particularly when you completely rely on a destination management company to grow and boost the profitability of your travel business. A business would demand a diverse blend of effective tools to gain a leg up in the marketing wars and stand out in the industry. From top-notch images, entertaining videos, and info-enriched content to testimonials and other relevant data, your destination management service provider must have all marketing materials ready to confirm the successful running of your business. With all these marketing assets just a call or a click away, it will save both your time and money.
ConclusionTourism may be the backbone of a destination, but what helps it flourish and boost the economy is a professional destination management company. With its innovative processes, a DMC offers an enhanced travel experience and adds to the value and recognition of a destination.