Dubai has begun to look beyond 2010-tourism growth targets, bin Dasmal

The Arabian Travel Market runs from May 4-7 at the Dubai World Trade Centre complex.

"The US $5.7 billion Dubailand project is the region's - if not the world's - biggest tourism, entertainment and leisure development and it is only right that it participates in the region's biggest travel, tourism and hospitality industry event," said Salem bin Dasmal, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Tourism Development Company (DTDC).

Dubailand promoter, Dubai Development and Investment Authority (DDIA), has set up DTDC to implement, oversee and manage the ambitious Dubailand project.

Bin Dasmal pointed out that the synergies born out of Dubailand's participation in Arabian Travel Market would only go towards promoting the overall tourism growth in the entire region.

"Our participation in the Arabian Travel Market provides us with a platform where the leaders and decision-makers of world's travel, tourism and hospitality industry will be gathered. It allows us to showcase what we have achieved in such a short time at Dubailand and the heights of excellence that we are pursuing and are absolutely confident of achieving and surpassing," bin Dasmal stated.

Window of Opportunity
He pointed out that the world's majors would, on the other hand, have a window to witness first hand the many opportunities and potential of one of the world's most ambitious tourism-related project.

"The Arabian Travel Market attracts huge numbers of trade visitors and top leaders in the world of tourism, travel, hospitality and leisure. It will be a platform wherein we can present highly rewarding opportunities for global entrepreneurs and investors," bin Dasmal pointed out.

He said Dubai is well on its way of achieving the 15 million tourist target by 2010. "Just look around you. The city is bursting with activity. Hotels and resorts are mushrooming. We have 5 million tourists already coming in every year and we are so encouraged that we have started to look beyond the 15 million target, which we had set for 2010," said the DTDC CEO.

High Growth
ATM organisers say that the number of tourists who came to the Middle East in 2000 increased by nearly 10 per cent to 20 million. This surge is attributed to the major economic development and investment in the area's tourism infrastructure.

With projects such as Dubailand coming up, the World Tourism Organisation predicts that growth in the Middle East's tourism industry will be 50 per cent higher than the world's average by 2020.

Growth in Middle East tourism is forecast to reach an annual 7.1 per cent until 2020, against the world's average of 4.1 per cent.

Arabian Travel Market, now entering its eleventh year, is universally recognised as the leading travel industry event for the Middle East and pan-Arab world.