Middle East's tourism offerings should compliment each other - HH Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum

'Tourism is booming across the Middle East, not only here in the UAE. However, this growth can only continue if we take a consolidated approach to make sure that each country's individual tourism products and domestic strategies compliment one another,' said Sheikh Ahmed.

His Highness made the comments after touring Arabian Travel Market 2008, which opened yesterday (May 6th) with its largest ever exhibitor base of 2,208, participants from 70 countries - an eight percent increase on the 2007 edition.

Regional bookings for 2008's show are up five percent on last year, with representation from all Middle East countries - a show first - signalling a strengthening of the region's diverse tourism propositions.

'I am happy to see how the show has grown. When we started 15 years ago, it was much smaller, but the growth over the last decade has been staggering. To see this year that it has over 2,000 exhibitors from across the world, with a stronger regional participation, is a signal that future growth will be phenomenal,'

added Sheikh Ahmed.

Floorspace bookings from international representatives in Asia, the Americas, Europe and Africa has also grown by 10% for this year's edition with 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.

Reed Travel Exhibitions, the organisers of the show, also announced that half day visitor figures from day one had smashed those achieved in previous years.

'In just the first four hours of the show, we have already far exceeded visitor numbers of any other Arabian Travel Market's opening day. This is extremely positive as the number of VIP buyers from the Meridian Club have significantly increased, meaning hi-net-worth, quality buyers are coming through the door,' said Simon Press, Exhibition Director, Arabian Travel Market.

Celebrating its 15th anniversary edition, the show, which runs at the Dubai International Exhibition and Convention Centre (DIECC) until 9th May, has expanded its Hosted Buyer Programme to 120 top international, first time buyers, 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.

And response to the largest ever session has been well received with more than a third more exhibitors turning up for the programme than in previous years.

'People are really voting with their feet. The huge increase in numbers attending this session speaks volumes about how important this forum is; especially as many of these buyers represent high purchasing power organisations. These figures reiterate Arabian Travel Market's reputation as the Middle East's only place to conduct for the travel & tourism industry,' added Press.

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.