Increased 'quality visitors' reflect Mid East's standing as top tourism hub, says Arabian Travel Market

'We have seen very positive increases in the quality of visitor coming through the show's doors this year. With considerable purchasing power, these visitors have the authority to sign deals on the spot, reiterating the importance buyers place on the region as a key tourism market,' said Simon Press, Exhibition Director, Arabian Travel Market - which ran at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC) from the 6-9th May.

Reed Travel Exhibitions - the vehicle behind Arabian Travel Market - says the increase in quality visitors, which are judged predominantly on purchasing power, reflects the show's comprehensive, content-rich standing in one of the most dynamic and fastest growing tourism markets in the world.

With over $100bn worth of tourism development projects being showcased at Arabian Travel Market 2008, the global industry - seeking to identity core business opportunities - received a first-hand-look at the Middle East's impressive tourism portfolio.

'The Middle East is the fastest growing and most dynamic travel and tourism market in the world. As such, buyers from across the globe attend Arabian Travel Market to meet with potential customers and to identify key opportunities. As organisers of the event, we have increased the show's offering and developed a more holistic environment for the industry's players to conduct business. This is clearly paying immediate dividends,' said Press.

'Importantly, the product packed offerings on regional and international exhibitors' stands is up 10 percent this year, and we expect global visitor representation to also increase as they target Middle Eastern companies, tour operators and end users with their diverse range of products and services,' added Press.

Additionally, with over 2,200 exhibitors from 70 countries represented at this year's show, organisers believe destinations and companies from Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas are utilising Arabian Travel Market to promote their offerings to an increasingly affluent Middle Eastern customer base.

'The Middle East's outbound tourism potential is increasing dramatically and the international tourism market is leveraging the show to promote their destinations'.

Close to 90 new-to-market exhibitors signed up for the 2008 outing, with more than 62 national tourist bodies taking space, including show debutants Bangladesh, The Philippines, Djibouti, Georgia, Senegal and Nepal.

Celebrating its 15th anniversary edition, the show also expanded its Hosted Buyer Programme for 2008, bringing in 120 top international, first time buyers - up from 100 last year.

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

Response to the show's changes has been well received.

Murtuza Khalid, Senior Sales Executive, Sharaf Travel, said: 'I've been here every year since the Arabian Travel Market began. It keeps getting better - the promotion and attitudes towards the event are great. We've had 15 percent more business this year than in previous years, and we're expecting even more before close of play Friday.

Abdulla Al Falasi, Dubai World Central's Marketing and Corporate Communications Director, added: 'Arabian Travel Market attracts the very best in the global travel, tourism, leisure and entertainment industry - components that make up part of Dubai World Central's master plan.

'Our participation was aimed at local, regional and global investors. The project's recent developments - geared to boost tourism and business - will position Dubai not only as a tourist attraction, but also as a regional business hub. The response we received was encouraging, reaffirming our faith in what DWC - as a Government of Dubai entity - hopes to accomplish in the next few years'.

And Hojoo Sung, Manager, Korean National Tourism Organization, said: 'Our objective was to attract tour operators at this year's Arabian Travel Market. The show is getting bigger by the year and it has been very helpful to us. Dubai is the trend leader of the Arab world and Arabian Travel Market is the most efficient way to promote to the market. We're thinking about taking a bigger space next year and our hotel partners have been really busy - they've had a really good response. And when they are busy they are happy!'

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.