Largest ever Arabian Travel Market's exhibitor base up 8% for 2008 showing

Reed Travel Exhibitions, organisers of Arabian Travel Market - which runs at the Dubai International Exhibition and Convention Centre (DIECC) until 9th May - said that floorspace bookings from international representatives in Asia, the Americas, Europe and Africa had grown by 10 percent, with Middle East companies increasing their allocation by five percent.

The 2008 show also boasts close to 90 new-to-market exhibitors, as well as increased space uptake from over 62 national tourist bodies with products and services representing 70 countries, including show debutants Bangladesh, The Philippines, Djibouti, Georgia, Senegal and Nepal.

"Over the years, Arabian Travel Market has evolved in tandem with the regional travel and tourism industry's growth and development. The show's evolution has been a continuing process and reflects the Middle East's emergence as one of the world's most prominent and exciting tourism hubs," said Richard Mortimore, Managing Director, Reed Travel Exhibitions.

"The increased regional and international exhibitor participation is a clear indication of this market's expansion. The diversification of the products and services on display further underlines the industry's growing dynamism and competitiveness."

Entering its 15th anniversary edition, the show has also expanded its Hosted Buyer Programme and is bringing in 120 top international, first time Hosted Buyers to Arabian Travel Market 2008, up from 100 last year.

The programme has targeted specialists from the leisure and golf segment and meetings sector to create the biggest portfolio to date - a unique opportunity for the region's travel and tourism industry to meet the right partners in a convenient one-stop-shop setting.

For the first time, these Hosted Buyers will be available between 9 and 11am on the show's opening day to meet exclusively with interested exhibitors.

"One of our core priorities is fostering an environment which allows for increased business interaction. The Hosted Buyer programme is an extension of that. Over the last 12 months, we've carefully selected representatives that have the purchasing power to drive forward on-site business opportunities," said Mortimore.

"For us, future growth will be in terms of worth, available content and potential business avenues for participants, not simply numbers - it'll be quality over quantity; acumen over accrual."

Dubai's Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), under whose auspices Arabian Travel Market is staged, lauded the show and underlined its significance as one of the most important and largest exhibitions of its kind along with London's World Travel Market and Berlin's ITB.

"Arabian Travel Market plays an important role in globally promoting Dubai. The DTCM has gone to great lengths this year to make Arabian Travel Market as successful as ever. We have increased our co-participants, produced hosted buyers' booklets and will also stage a UAE and Dubai heritage display on the stand," said Saleh Al Geziry, Director - Overseas Promotions, DTCM.

The DTCM also stated that they had been working with a number of governmental bodies to ease the immigration process for international exhibitors.

"DTCM has allocated dedicated counters at Dubai International Airport to ease the immigration process for exhibitors flying in. In addition, Dubai Immigration will have a booth at Arabian Travel Market to promote its services and to issue e-gate cards. Dubai Police will also be present to promote its services for tourists."

Al Geziry added that 132 co-participants from Dubai will display their services and products on the stand and that hosted buyers have been invited to come and experience first hand what the emirate has to offer.

Emirates Airline, the event's official carrier, reiterated Arabian Travel Market's significance in promoting the region's tourism offering.
"Emirates Airline is delighted to be the Official Carrier for Arabian Travel Market for the 15th year. We are proud to support this event, which mirrors our own objectives of boosting travel, tourism and thereby the economy of Dubai," said Adnan Kazim, Senior Vice President - Commercial Operations, Africa, Emirates Airline.

"Arabian Travel Market continues to go from strength to strength - just as Emirates does. Emirates' ever expanding route network together with the increasing number of destinations and organisations represented by Arabian Travel Market makes this an important partnership in aiding the growth of regional tourism."
To foster an increased business-to-business setting and encourage greater interaction between visitors, exhibitors and key decision makers, Reed Travel Exhibitions has made some fundamental changes to this year's show.

The knowledge delivery platform has been upgraded, allowing exhibitors to make the most out of their presence. Via the Arabian Travel Market website, each exhibitor has access to a dedicated mini-portal where they can update company information, add collateral and invite guests to the exhibition with their company branded registration web link.

The move is designed to bolster the entire show experience and to instigate a content-rich information platform for the global industry, accessible year round via the web.

2008's show will also see the launch of Travel Agents Day, held in conjunction with Arabian Travel News magazine. The new platform will boast the latest top class travel and tourism education, combining skills, learning, product knowledge and great competitions.

Reed Travel Exhibitions will also be staging a 15 session seminar programme which will be housed on the show floor for the first time. These high-brow sessions are inline with the organiser's vision to position Arabian Travel Market as a fertile, factual experience and the international travel and tourism industry's premier stage for conducting Middle East business.

In addition, a number of key industry reports - including the World Tourism and Trade Council's 'Global Outlook, Regional Trends for 2008 and Beyond' - will be announced during the seminar programme. Another report will focus on recruitment and retention satisfaction within the regional hotel industry.

"Just by looking at the names and session topics in this year's programme, you'll see that we have focused on bringing in speakers who are at the forefront of their industry segments. These experts will provide a unique insight into the most critical trends and issues facing us all," added Mortimore.

Reed Travel Exhibitions has also appointed a new 'Host Hotel' for the 2009 edition. Emaar Hospitality Group's recently launched premium brand, 'The Address Hotels & Resorts' - which incorporates three properties: The Address, Downtown Burj Dubai; The Address, Dubai Mall; and The Address, Dubai Marina - will partner Arabian Travel Market on a one year contract and will be the accommodation provider for the show's hosted buyers and international press.

A revamped floorplan encouraging balanced visitor flow will see UAE and GCC exhibitors joining the wider Middle East for 2008, and the European exhibitors moving nearer the main entrance, which has its own concourse.

To try and ease access to and from the venue the organisers have also changed the opening hours to 11.00 am - 7pm on the Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday which are trade only days, with Friday being the consumer day. This year, adults pay an entry fee, while American Express cardmembers and accompanied youngsters under 16 are allowed in free.

Opening times of Arabian Travel Market 2008 are as follows:
Tuesday, May 6
13.00 - 19.00
Meridian Club and Trade Visitors
Wednesday, May 7
11.00 - 19.00
Meridian Club and Trade Visitors
Thursday, May 8
11.00 - 19.00
Meridian Club and Trade Visitors
Friday, May 9
16.00 - 21.00
Meridian Club, Trade & Consumer Visitors

Free car parking is available in car parks B&C, opposite the Novotel hotel, and car park F, adjacent to the Za'abeel Hall. Shuttle buses run continuously from 9.00am between these areas and the exhibition hall entrances near the Novotel and Ibis hotels.

Arabian Travel Market is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, and under the auspices of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, Government of Dubai.