Browse
related articles
"The Arabian Travel Market continues to be a central platform for Kuwaiti companies to conduct business with existing partners in traditional markets and to showcase their diverse product offerings to possible future source markets. No other Middle East show allows us to open up business avenues to bolster our inbound and outbound product base going forward," said Al-Shaya.
"Both the government and private sector have taken important strides to improve the country's tourism infrastructure, with the expansion of Kuwait International Airport and the planned addition of 3,500 new hotel rooms by 2011 at the forefront of this commitment. These developments will certainly be a focus at this year's event," added Al-Shaya.
Kuwait's Ministry of Commerce and Industry - Tourism Sector is expected to lead a contingent of more than 20 local companies at Arabian Travel Market 2009, including the State's national carrier, Kuwait Airways, Wataniya Airways, Safir Hotels & Resorts, Planet Travel Network, Kuwait Hotel Owner's Association, and Mashaer Hajj & Umrah Services Consortium - with many more expected in the coming weeks.
And Arabian Travel Market organisers', Reed Travel Exhibitions, believe the event's unrivalled global exhibitor base - which spans 60-plus countries - its increased content and product offering, and its superior visitor programme, make it the logical business and knowledge platform to demonstrate Kuwait's tourism industry potential.
Mark Walsh, Group Exhibitions Director, Reed Travel Exhibitions, said:
"This is the eighth consecutive year that Kuwait, under the stewardship of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry - Tourism Sector, has participated at Arabian Travel Market; a clear illustration that both the government and private sector realise the event's potential in opening doors to the international tourism community."
"Kuwait is pursuing an aggressive strategy to become an established trade and financial centre. As such, we're expecting strong Kuwaiti exhibitor and trade visitor presences as parties look to keep abreast of market trends and capitalise on new opportunities," he added.
And according to organisers, the State's increased tourism profile is generating solid interest from international visitors: "Visitor interest for the show has been solid and we are extremely optimistic regarding quality and quantity. With visitor registrations up on this time last year, many buyers have identified Kuwait as an important destination and we expect this figure to rise as we get closer to the show opening," said Walsh.
"Over the last couple of years, we have invested considerable resources in attracting the right visitors to the show. These initiatives are now bearing fruit. For example, at Arabian Travel Market 2008, the number of quality visitors - which represent a senior management demographic - was up by 15% on 2007," he stated.
Walsh also outlined the business potential for Kuwaiti trade visitors to open dialogue with the international travel community.
"Trade visitors from Kuwait will have unrivalled possibilities to identify and pursue outbound and inbound offerings from across the globe. To date, more than 2,000 exhibitors and stand-sharers, including nearly 60 national tourist bodies representing six continents, have signed up," he added.
To increase business dialogue and knowledge sharing, Arabian Travel Market organisers have implemented a number of enhanced initiatives for 2009.
The show's Hosted Buyers programme - which identifies high-quality buyers in terms of purchasing and decision-making power - will increase to 150 top international, first time participants for 2009 - up from 120 last year.
In addition, Careers Day - a programme designed to enable meetings between exhibitors and members of the general public with a keen interest to work within the industry or developing an existing career - will also debut this year. The initiative is held under the patronage of the United Arab Emirates' Ministry of Education.
As well as face-to-face meetings with potential employers, visitors can attend specific career workshops and seminars hosted by established industry representatives.
Other key programmes retuning this year, 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 for 2009 which affords destinations an opportunity to showcase their brand to the regional and international industry in a dedicated show-floor theatre.
The online portal for Arabian Travel Market can be found at Arabian Travel Market website. Signing up early will allow visitors to take advantage of extensive e-networking tools that will allow them to link up with the most relevant industry players to their business.
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.
Siba Sami Ammari
