Arabian Travel Market's Hosted Buyer programme up 25% for 2009

The Hosted Buyers programme, which identifies high-quality buyers in terms of purchasing and decision-making power, allows Reed Travel Exhibitions to bring in senior industry players from across the globe to meet with potential partners.

As part of the initiative, Arabian Travel Market - which takes place from 5-8th May, 2009 at the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre in the United Arab Emirates - will continue to stage its opening day Hosted Buyers' appointment session, where buyers and exhibitors can pre-arrange business meetings in advance to maximise time and productivity.

"Since the Hosted Buyer programme was implemented, we have seen a steady increase in the number of 'quality visitors' attending the show. For example, at Arabian Travel Market 2008, the number of quality visitors was up by 15 per cent on the previous year,"

said Mark Walsh, Group Exhibitions Director, Reed Travel Exhibitions.

"As such, the decision to increase the numbers for 2009 is an extension of our ongoing commitment to providing direct business channels for the industry. Our sector is not alone in facing economic pressures and as such the need to maximise Arabian Travel Market's role in diversifying the regional industry's commerce potential is more relevant than ever. "

In addition, the Meridian Club - Reed Travel Exhibitions' VIP travel industry buyers' programme - has also been re-branded to 'Buyers Club' for Arabian Travel Market 2009. The decision was taken to better position the scheme's role for participants at the show. Qatar Tourism and Exhibition Authority has taken the official sponsorship for the Buyers Club.

Since Reed Travel Exhibitions established the programme in 1991, it has grown to become the travel industry's most prestigious business club. Last year alone, over 19,000 travel industry professionals visited World Travel Market and Arabian Travel Market as part of the initiative to meet and procure from the thousands of leading travel suppliers and exhibiting destinations.

"The decision to re-brand the scheme for Arabian Travel Market was to give it its own stand-alone identity within the industry. The Buyers Club is a long-term initiative for Reed Travel Exhibitions and we are currently reviewing ways to bolster this offering to ensure that the quality of visitors attending the show continues to be of the highest-level," said Mark Jakobsen, Marketing Manager, Buyers Club.

The news of an expanded Hosted Buyers programme is the latest in a string of announcements for Arabian Travel Market 2009. Reed Travel Exhibitions recently outlined the show's new Careers Day initiative, which will enable meetings between exhibitors and public with a keen interest in working within the industry or developing an existing career.

As well as face-to-face meetings with potential employers, visitors can attend specific career workshops and seminars hosted by established representatives within the industry, covering CV construction, covering letters and interview techniques.

A number of other initiatives will also be retuning for 2009, including an expanded seminar programme, increased year-long web presence and networking facilities as well as Travel Agents Day - which is designed to foster the latest top-class travel and tourism education among travel agents.

In addition to combining skills, learning, product knowledge and great competitions, Travel Agents Day also boasts a new-look format this year which affords destinations an opportunity to showcase their brand to the regional and international industry in a dedicated show-floor theatre.

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.