Strong exhibitor interest triggers additional demand for floor space at TDIM 08

TDIM 08 exhibit space will reach 19,000 square metres according to the organizers - a major accomplishment for what will be the inaugural edition of the show. TDIM, which focuses on promoting the flow of investment, resources and expertise into tourism development in the region lists major stakeholders in the region's tourism industry including the Dubai Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing, Nakheel, DWC (Dubai World Central), Emirates Airlines, Falcon City of Wonders, Dubailand, Aldar Properties, Al Ain Wildlife Parks & Resorts, Al Qudra Real Estate, Al Hanoo Holdings, the Syrian Ministry of Tourism and B&G Hotels & Resorts from Egypt among TDIM exhibitors.

"We are very pleased with the excellent market response to TDIM. The feedback has exceeded our expectations and we firmly believe the show is the ideal platform for leading stakeholders in the region's tourism industry to showcase their plans, canvas investments, leverage networking opportunities, build industry knowledge and conduct business," said Ara Fernezian, Show Manager, TDIM 08.

"Given that TDIM is in its inaugural edition, we had originally anticipated that the show would occupy 15,000 square metres of exhibit space. However, with the show now poised to reach 19,000 square metres, we have contracted for additional space at DICEC,"

said Fernezian.

Manal Shaheen, Nakheel Director - Sales, Marketing & Customer Services said: "As well as developing residences for three million people over the coming decades, Nakheel is a key player in driving forward Dubai's vision to become one of the world's leading tourist destinations. With projects such as The Palm and The World, we are literally transforming the map of Dubai to achieve this. The synergy between tourism, development and investment means that TDIM is a perfect platform to meet the industry's key players and showcase our projects."

Nakheel's developments currently extend across more than 2bn square feet of land and are projected to be worth more than Dhs100bn in value. Upon completion, Nakheel's waterfront projects will add more than 1,000 kilometers of shoreline to Dubai's coastline.

A market survey conducted by Reed Exhibitions in preparation for TDIM has revealed that Dhs1 trillion has been committed to tourism-related projects in the GCC that are expected to be completed by 2018. Of this, the UAE accounts for AED 858 billion or 85 percent of the total tourism project investments in the GCC.

Oman, with Dhs61bn in tourism project investments, and Qatar, with Dhs31.1bn, occupy the second and third slots among the GCC countries. Bahrain (Dhs20.77bn), Saudi Arabia (16.44bn) and Kuwait (12.67bn) have also managed to attract significant investments into tourism project development. The figures exclude infrastructure costs such as power plants and transport networks.

Reed's survey has also shown that the UAE tops the GCC in terms of land area occupied by tourism projects. It has an area of 558m square meters under development for tourism projects, accounting for more than 75% of the combined land area under development for tourism in the GCC.

In a move that further consolidates the UAE's lead in tourism development, Abu Dhabi-based Aldar Properties, a TDIM exhibitor, and Abu Dhabi Media Company signed a long-term agreement with Warner Bros. Entertainment last month to create a theme park, hotel and jointly-owned cinemas. Ground-breaking for the theme park and hotel will take place in 2009. Earlier this year, Tatweer, a member of Dubai Holdings, unveiled the Dhs8bn Universal Studios Dubailand, a 22m square feet development within Dubailand. The first phase of the entertainment facility is scheduled to come on stream by 2010 and when completed, the development will be among the world's biggest theme parks.