​SPICE DMC
How it all started
Magic Travels began in Damascus, where Mrs. Issa ran a small travel agency, while her son, Samer Jabri, studied dentistry in Brussels. One phone call changed everything. She asked, “Why are we always sending people away when we live in one of the most beautiful countries ourselves?” Inspired, Samer visited Belgian agencies to introduce Syria, sparking the launch of their own destination management company before the term DMC was widely known.
Political shifts in Syria transformed their dream rather than ending it. Expanding to Jordan, Oman, the UAE, and Egypt, Magic Travels became one of the Middle East’s most respected bespoke travel companies.
How it is going
Today, Samer leads an international travel group built on storytelling and authenticity, with two distinct brands:
Magic Travels DMC: Tailor-made journeys and luxury leisure groups across the Middle East.
Spice DMC: Creative MICE experiences and corporate incentive programmes.
Samer’s ventures also include Magic Camps, sustainable luxury tented retreats in Oman’s deserts,
and Gaia Boats, a boutique Nile cruiser blending history, design, and slow-travel serenity.
Next, we’ll explore Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Oman, and Egypt through the lens of Magic Travels — destinations shaped by landscapes and the dreamers behind them.
ABU DHABI
If you ask me, Abu Dhabi is the ultimate destination for incentives — just seven hours away with direct flights via Etihad Airlines, yet a world apart in luxury, adventure, and sheer wow-factor.
I still vividly remember stepping outside my hotel one morning to a line-up of colorful convertible Mustangs waiting like a dream on wheels. Our group piled in two or three per car, engines roaring, ready to explore the city in style. The day unfolded like a cinematic adventure: a private tour of the Grand Mosque, a stroll through the stunning Louvre Abu Dhabi, and for those craving a dash of sunset magic, a kayak ride around the museum. For the sustainability-minded, SpiceDMC also offers immersive experiences in the mangroves — kayaking followed by planting trees to leave a tangible mark on the environment.
Adrenaline meets elegance here. We zoomed across Yas Marina Circuit, sailed on private yachts, and even had exclusive access to a private island where cocktails, watersports, and a leisurely Lebanese lunch awaited. Banana boats, jet skis, and sun-soaked relaxation — all in one perfect day.
Evenings in Abu Dhabi are as stylish as the days. I recall dining at Koya, a Peruvian restaurant with vibrant sharing plates — ceviches, guacamoles, and lively energy, amplified by a live band. By 1 a.m., we were dancing our way onto the bus, laughing all the way to the airport for a night flight home.
Abu Dhabi balances luxury, adventure, culture, and sustainability in one incredible package. For incentive planners, it’s not just a destination — it’s a playground for unforgettable memories. After this experience, I’m completely smitten.
OMAN
​
Oman is a destination that feels like stepping into another world — a place where dramatic landscapes meet effortless luxury. I remember being struck immediately by its stunning natural beauty: rugged mountains, serene wadis, and pristine coastline, all impeccably accessible yet untouched in spirit. For incentive groups, Oman offers a perfect balance of adventure, team-building, and authentic cultural immersion.
Imagine arriving and being whisked away in 4x4 vehicles, winding through the Hajar Mountains, where every turn reveals valleys bathed in sunlight and cliffs carved by centuries of nature. Stops along the way can include hidden wadis for refreshing dips in natural pools, or scenic terraces for team challenges and mindfulness moments alike. The drive itself becomes an experience — a combination of breathtaking vistas, storytelling, and adventure, perfect for energizing any group.
Oman also offers desert magic in the Wahiba Sands, where dune-bashing in 4x4s is complemented by sunset camel rides and starlit evenings in luxury desert camps. Here, evenings are intimate yet spectacular: think private dinners in Bedouin-style tents, local music, and the aroma of Omani cuisine infused with saffron and spices. For groups seeking creativity or team bonding, activities such as sandboarding or desert treasure hunts turn every moment into playful, unforgettable memories.
Coastal Oman offers a different rhythm. The Musandam fjords and remote beaches invite kayaking, snorkeling, and dhow cruises, allowing guests to connect with the sea while soaking in dramatic cliffs and untouched nature. Meals at seaside resorts or hidden coastal restaurants bring authentic Omani flavors to the table — fresh seafood, aromatic rice dishes, and dates and coffee that tell stories of centuries-old traditions.
What makes Oman truly remarkable is how effortlessly it combines adventure with serenity. Every valley, dune, and coastline is curated for discovery, yet never feels staged. For incentive planners, Oman is a canvas for bespoke experiences, from adrenaline-fueled mountain treks to cultural workshops, desert feasts, and seaside relaxation.
After my journey, I left Oman completely inspired. This is a country that rewards curiosity, embraces authenticity, and leaves every visitor with memories of extraordinary natural beauty, luxury, and connection — a destination that turns any incentive into an unforgettable adventure.
DUBAI
​
Dubai is a city that doesn’t just welcome your group — it catapults them into an unforgettable experience. From the moment guests arrive, the energy is palpable. On The Palm Jumeirah, breakfast at Aura Sky Pool sets the tone: a 360° infinity pool overlooking the skyline, where morning coffee comes with awe and anticipation. Soon after, thrills await with helicopter flights over Dubai’s landmarks or a zipline adventure across Dubai Marina, before a serene lunch at Elaia, a refined Mediterranean retreat.
The afternoon offers leisure or optional wonders: ascending the Burj Khalifa or wandering the Dubai Mall. Evening arrives with Thai cuisine at Thiptara, dining with views of the Dubai Fountain and Burj Khalifa — a truly magical first night.
Day two blends urban exploration with adventure. Guests cruise Dubai’s coastline on a private yacht, with optional watersports: jet skis, fly boards, or banana boats, followed by a relaxed lunch on board. Later, a self-drive luxury car experience lets guests discover Dubai at their own pace, with a playful stop at Mirzam Chocolate Makers to craft your own chocolate. The night sparkles at Amazonico, a vibrant South American haven in DIFC.
For cultural and adrenaline seekers alike, a quick transfer to Abu Dhabi offers mangrove kayaking and tree planting, the Louvre Abu Dhabi, and a Polaris drift experience at Yas Marina Circuit, capped by a sunset visit to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Back in Dubai, dinner at Attiko, a chic Pan-Asian rooftop, keeps the magic alive.
Dubai also blends heritage and team spirit. In Old Dubai, teams navigate the souks in traditional attire, compete in urban quests, or explore flavors on a guided food tour. Lunch at Al Khayma Heritage, followed by desert 4x4s, dune bashing, sunset cocktails, and a falcon show at Dar Al Shams, turns the desert into an epic stage. Dinner at Amar, with music or a DJ, finishes the night with style.
By the final morning, as guests board their flights, they leave with memories of a city where luxury, adventure, culture, and design converge — a destination perfectly crafted for unforgettable incentive experiences.
EGYPT
​​
​
There are destinations that whisper intrigue—and then there’s one that commands a standing ovation. Egypt is that place. Imagine guiding your incentive group into a world where sleek s p e a k e a s y lounges hide behind historic façades, where gala dinners play out with the pyramids as your backdrop, and where the majestic river, the Nile River, carries you into the soft glow of sunset aboard a luxury dahabiya by Gaïa.
From the airport arrival, you sense the energy: the mix of ancient stories and contemporary style. One evening, your group enters a chic, moody speakeasy in Cairo, tucked away behind a bookcase or cafe‑front, cocktails in hand, as dj‑driven beats pulse against the city’s skyline. Then comes the moment you’ve been waiting for — a gourmet gala in open space with the Great Pyramid of Giza lit behind you. Long tables draped in crisp linen, candle‑lit under a star‑filled sky, regional musicians mixing oud strings with modern rhythms. Every guest feels part of something cinematic and grand.
And then: you board the Gaïa dahabiya, the vessel of pure refinement. With its panoramic lounge, plunge pool, elevated suites and large French‑balcony cabins, it sets the scene for connection and reflection. By day you glide past riverbanks steeped in history; by night you dine al fresco as the Nile mirrors the stars above. It’s an environment where business gets done and bonds are formed in equal measure.
For incentive groups seeking a destination that blends heritage with high‑end experiences, Egypt delivers. You’ll find tailored activities — think private tomb tours, exclusive cocktail classes, or themed dinners that bring teams together in an unforgettable backdrop. With the expertise of a partner like Gaïa DMC, every detail is crafted to exceed expectations.
In Egypt, you’re not just sending your group somewhere—they’re arriving somewhere legendary. And that, for any meeting or incentive planner, is everything.