Dubai Stand remains a big attraction at Arabian Travel Market

Measuring 1152 square metres and featuring 74 booths and 132 co-participants from the public and private sectors, the Dubai Stand has been put up by the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) at the four-day fair.

Accompanied by the DTCM Director General, Mr. Khalid A bin Sulayem and other dignitaries, H.H Sheikh Ahmed toured the stand and spoke to the representatives of participating companies.

Mr. bin Sulayem briefed H.H Sheikh Ahmed about the salient features of the stand and various initiatives of the department, including the promotional and marketing campaign and branding for Dubai at the ATM, where the DTCM has remained a big participant since the past 15 years.

Present during the tour were the DTCM Executive Director Operations and Marketing, Mr. Mohammed Khamis bin Hareb, DTCM Executive Director Media Relations and Acting Director Business Development, Mr. Eyad Ali Abdul Rahman, DTCM Executive Director Business Tourism, Mr. Hamad bin Mejren, and DTCM Director Overseas Promotions, Mr. Saleh Mohammed Al Geziry.

Earlier, H.H Sheikh Ahmed inaugurated ATM-2009 being attended by over 2,100 exhibitors and stand-sharers, from 69 countries, including 70 new-to-market representatives.

Dubai Stand (UAE 2500) is located in Hall 3 of DICEC. The first three days are exclusively for the travel and tourism industry professionals, while the concluding day has been reserved for the general public, according to the ATM organisers, Reed Travel Exhibitions.

The world's third biggest travel and tourism fair is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and the auspices of the DTCM.

Dubai Stand size has increased to 1152 square metres this year compared with last year's 1080 square metres, while there is a 28% increase in the number of Hosted Buyers from DTCM.

Dubai Stand has been made appealing to the visitors through a variety of attractions, including an Arabic Calligraphy Art Gallery and photo galleries on Events in Dubai and Old and New Dubai. A separate section features the international awards that DTCM won in 2008 and 2009.

A Heritage Corner is another highlight at the Dubai Stand, which is expected to remain a big draw for nearly 20,000 trade visitors and consumers projected to be attending this year's event.

Representatives from each of the DTCM's 18 Overseas Representation Offices are also on hand to support the Dubai co-participants on the matters pertaining to their respective markets.

The department has published a booklet offering details about its co-participants and contact details.

The IT department of DTCM is showcasing the online services provided to the industry, while the Events organized in Dubai is being highlighted by DTCM Events. DTCM's Business Development is promoting Go Green Dubai Tourism initiative.

Dubai Convention Bureau is promoting the emirate's Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) industry and DTCM's One Stop Information Centre (OSIC) is on hand to explain its services rendered to the industry and general public.