Strong Arabian Travel Market 2009 sign-up reinforces market resolve

Despite global economic uncertainty contributing to a slight drop in exhibitor numbers over 2008 figures, itself a record-breaking show, the organisers believe sign-up of over 2,100 exhibitors and stand-sharers, from 69 countries, including 70 new-to-market representatives, not only underlines the Middle East's importance to the industry's global recovery, but illustrates the show's potential to foster greater business development via enhanced business friendliness and knowledge sharing capabilities.

"In the current financial climate, we are seeing that the number one shows in their respective fields are actively supported as the industry seeks out solutions to facilitate recovery. With its 16 year pedigree, that is very much the case with Arabian Travel Market; which is well established and has proved to be successful in both generating business and developing partnerships," said Mark Walsh, Group Exhibitions Director, Reed Travel Exhibitions.

"Arabian Travel Market has seen phenomenal growth over the last five years, up from 12,500 m² of space contracted in 2004 to 24,000 m² in 2008, which is a clear reflection of the Middle East's own meteoric development. However, much like the region and indeed the rest of the world, we have seen a slight correction in 2009," he added.

"And, whilst we have seen marginal declines in exhibitor numbers and floorspace, we have received only a few actual cancellations. Much of this is down to the fact that across the globe people are scrutinising their marketing budgets as return on investment become more pertinent. This is why we have launched a number of initiatives to bolster the event's business and knowledge potential; it is about significantly justifying participants' expenditure," he said.

The 2009 show, which runs from May 5-8th at the Dubai International Exhibition & Convention Centre, has confirmed steady overall space uptake by nearly 60 national tourist bodies representing six continents, including new-to-market showings from the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Romania and Nigeria as well representation from the private sector in Ecuador, Slovenia and San Marino.

Strong showings from Middle East and North African countries, representing more than 850 exhibitors, also sees Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Syria bringing larger tourism contingents than last year.

"As we've said before, Arabian Travel Market participation and attendance has served as a performance barometer for the Middle East industry, and this year's showing is indicative of the wider picture. There are elements which are out performing last year's event, which signals the market is eager to utilise top-tier, business events to help develop new revenue streams and partnerships which will prove critical in facilitating the sector's resurgence," added Walsh.

Reed Travel Exhibitions revealed that most exhibitor reductions have been marginalised by increased space uptake from a number of destinations, including: Abu Dhabi, which has the largest stand this year, Hong Kong, Thailand, Greece, Cyprus, Italy, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Mauritius and the Kenya Tourist Board.

In addition, a host of first time exhibiting countries, such as Romania and Cambodia, as well as regional and international carriers including Swiss Airlines, Jazeera Airways and Wataniya Airways, have all made significant space commitments for 2009.

"Last year's event broke all our previous records, so it would be inappropriate to compare what happened in May 2008 with now; the world is a completely different place. However, whilst we have seen a few cancellations and some exhibitors reducing their commitment in 2009, this has been widely offset by a positive number of show debutants as well as returning companies and National Tourism Organisations increasing their allocations," said Walsh.

"Furthermore, we have seen additional space uptake from non-traditional markets, as well as newly-formed companies, while Middle East countries continue to enhance their presence as they look to the show as a vehicle to promote their inbound and outbound products to the industry at large. Exhibitors making increased commitments this year, in light of the slowdown, speaks volumes about how important the Middle East, and this show, is to the global travel market and vice versa," Walsh added.

With an 1152 m² stand, representing 74 booths and 132 co-participants, the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), under whose auspices the show is held, has significantly increased its presence at this year's Arabian Travel Market. The department has also increased its Hosted Buyer allotment by 28% over last year as it looks to capitalise on the event's global exhibitor base.

"In 2008, the tourism sector directly contributed 19% to Dubai's GDP, and indirectly contributed 32% - up by two percent over the previous year. As the emirate overcomes the challenges brought about by the economic crisis, it becomes stronger and, as such, is being looked at with greater interest than before," said Saleh Mohammed Al Geziry, DTCM's Director Overseas Promotions.

"Strong local participation at Arabian Travel Market 2009 reaffirms Dubai's tourism industry is indeed healthy. This department, in coordination with hotels, tour operators and tourism companies, has been working on boosting hotel occupancy and increasing the number of visitors to the emirate, a fact illustrated by our enhanced presence at this year's show," Al Geziry added.

Emirates Airline, the event's official carrier, reinforced Arabian Travel Market's significance in promoting the region's tourism offering and highlighted the need for the industry to actively seek growth opportunities during this challenging time.

"Tourism is an integral part of Dubai, and the Arabian Travel Market is a great platform to showcase the city's infrastructure, as well as the thriving and diverse travel services available in the marketplace. Now, more than ever, travel and tourism operators need to invest in and capitalise on these types of exhibitions putting in place building blocks for future development," said Ahmed Khoory, Senior Vice President - Commercial Operations, Gulf, Middle East and Iran, Emirates Airline.

"The Emirates Group has much to be excited about over this next year and we see Arabian Travel Market as the perfect place to showcase our plans across the group. As the largest aviation and travel services player in the region, Emirates is proud to play a major role in the success of the show and I look forward to seeing what this year's event has to offer," Khoory added.

Reed Travel Exhibitions also outlined a number of initiatives developed for 2009 which they believe will be vital in nurturing increased business interaction and ensuring exhibitors have access to top-tier decision makers.

One such move was to increase the show's Hosted Buyers programme - which identifies high-quality buyers in terms of purchasing and decision-making power - to 150 top international, first time participants, up from 120 in 2008. These buyers, representing the leisure, MICE and golf sectors, will be available for appointment requests with exhibitors via a dedicated session on the opening day between 9-11am.

"For a long time now we have been investing in schemes which advance the business interaction between exhibitors, decision makers and visitors, which have catalysed the Hosted Buyer programme's success. Through this initiative, exhibitors have the opportunity to meet directly with top-tier decision makers; something which could take weeks, if not months, to achieve through conventional channels," added Walsh.

The 2009 show also boasts an expanded seminar programme, with more than 30 experts discussing a variety of key topics in 18 sessions. This biggest-ever programme reinforces Arabian Travel Market's commitment to promoting increased dialogue and debate to stimulate the market's recovery.

In addition, a number of key industry reports - including Deloitte's 'The Middle East Hotel Performance Review', Catererglobal.com's 'Recruitment and Retention Strategies in the Middle East Hotel Industry' and EuroMonitor's 'Future Trends for Travel and Tourism in the Middle East' - will be unveiled during the four-day event.

On the show's final day, Reed Travel Exhibitions will also launch Consumer & Careers Day - a programme designed to introduce exhibitors to members of the general public with a keen interest to work within the industry or developing an existing career.

The initiative is held under the patronage of the United Arab Emirates' Ministry of Education and allows visitors to conduct face-to-face meetings with potential employers and attend specific career workshops and seminars hosted by established industry representatives.

Other key resources return this year, including 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, an initiative designed to foster the latest top-class travel and tourism education among travel agents.

Reed Travel Exhibitions also announced that Emaar Hospitality Group's 5-star premium brand, The Address Hotels & Resorts, will again be the host hotel group for the 2010 show.

As part of the new one year contact, Emaar Hospitality Group's The Address Hotel & Resorts, which incorporates three properties - The Address, Downtown Burj Dubai; The Address, Dubai Mall; and The Address, Dubai Marina - will be the official accommodation provider for the show's Hosted Buyers programme and select international press brought in for the show.

A number of logistical issues have also been amended. To try and ease access to and from the venue the organisers have changed the opening hours to 11.00 am - 6pm on Tuesday, and 10am- 6pm on the Wednesday and Thursday, with Friday being the consumer day.

Increased free car parking is available this year in car parks B, C & D, opposite the Novotel hotel, and car park F, adjacent to the Za'abeel Hall. Shuttle buses run continuously from 9.00am between these areas and the exhibition hall entrances near the Novotel and Ibis hotels.

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.