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"With ever-tightening marketing budgets, we are seeing regional and international companies and national tourism bodies only ready to commit to best-in-its-class events which generate viable business opportunities," said Mark Walsh, Group Exhibitions Director, Reed Travel Exhibitions.
"Our continuing efforts to foster an interactive, business-friendly environment at Arabian Travel Market - which this year again has a global exhibitor base covering six continents - is ticking all the right boxes. We have had significant support from both regional governments and the private sector to ensure Arabian Travel Market 2009 remains a strategic international travel and tourism industry forum," Mark added.
"Through Arabian Travel Market, decision makers can open up new business avenues, develop existing ones and promote inbound and outbound tourism products to a truly global audience. At Arabian Travel Market industry professionals can develop revenue generating relationships that would take weeks, if not months, to cultivate through conventional routes. The very positive sign-up for Arabian Travel Market, in the midst of what is happening around the world, is testament to both what we are trying to achieve and the Middle East's significant potential as a principal tourism centre," added Walsh.
The UAE is leading Mena's charge at this year's show, which takes place 5-8th May 2009 at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. The majority emirates' tourism bodies are signed up, with more than 400 exhibitors and stand sharers already committed. The country's tourism contingent covers a wide range of industry sub-sectors, from hospitality and travel agents to airlines.
With delegations from Egypt and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia each boasting more than 60 exhibitors apiece, and other GCC countries' contingents all being led by their country NTOs - which represent more than 130 exhibitors alone - regional tourism officials are clearly eyeing the show as a key marketing and sales initiatives.
Essa Hassani, Senior Marketing Specialist - Tourist Section, Bahrain Ministry of Culture and Information, said:
"Tourism plays a big role in Bahrain's GDP and currently represents 12% of total income, with this figure expected to rise to 25% over the next ten years. Both the government and private sector have made considerable investments in to the country's tourism infrastructure, with more than 20 five-star properties expected to come online in the next three to four years."
"We are very much targeting intra-regional travellers from GCC markets, as this makes up 90% of our current tourist numbers. As such, we will very much be leveraging Arabian Travel Market to open additional business avenues with regional companies. In addition, we will also look to traditional Western tourism markets to supplement Bahrain's fledgling cruise industry. Currently we have three cruise ships a week docking in the Kingdom, representing 120,000 passengers a year. We hope to double that in the next two years," he added.
Khalid Al Zadjali, Acting Director of Tourism Events, Oman Ministry of Tourism, also reiterated the show's importance to the Sultanate's long-term strategy, "Arabian Travel Market continues to be the most important regional show for the travel and tourism industry; it is one that Oman, both on governmental and private sector levels, continues to support enthusiastically. We have a well-established relationship with both the show and its organisers and will ensure we maximise the opportunity to showcase Oman's tourism proposition to an international audience."
To increase further business dialogue and knowledge sharing, Arabian Travel Market's 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. A dedicated session on the opening day between 9-11am has been earmarked especially for exhibitors to meet with hosted buyers.
In addition, Careers Day - a programme running on May 8th which is 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 return this year, including an expanded seminar programme, increased year-long web presence and networking facilities - which means exhibitors can post their news and pre-arrange meetings to maximise time on the ground via the online portal - as well as Travel Agents Day - which is designed to foster the latest top-class travel and tourism education among travel agents.
The online portal for Arabian Travel Market can be found at www.arabiantravelmarket.com. Signing up early will allow visitors to take advantage of extensive e-networking tools that will allow them to link up with potential business partners ahead of time.
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.
Rana Mesbah
