Arabian Travel Market first day trade visitors soar 34 per cent

Some 3,772 trade visitors from 89 countries attended the first day of Arabian Travel Market 2004, which runs at the Dubai World Trade Centre until Friday night.

"Another highly encouraging facet of the trade visitor registrations is that just over 54% were industry professionals from overseas," said Mike Allsopp, Managing Director, Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE), which organises the show.

Arabian Travel Market 2004 features over 1,400 exhibitors from 55 countries and is 30% larger than last year.

Exhibitors at the show have been reporting strong business leads.

Ajman's outbound and inbound tour operator Jayasree Travels & Tours was among those celebrating early show success.

"ATM is excellent for tying up new partnerships. I concluded US $150,000 worth of business on the first day alone and expect to do more by the end of the show," said P.V. Kumar, Executive Director.

Voi Wildlife Lodge & Safari Spa of Kenya said the trip to ATM had proved very worthwhile.

"We are a family business, just two years old and this is our first time at ATM," said Niraj M. Ratna, Marketing Director. "Germany and Italy have provided a good base for our business so far, but now we see a lot of potential in the Middle East and it's a market we're keen to tap. Marketing Kenya as a destination to Middle East consumers is a little difficult because it's not so apparent, so ATM seemed like the perfect showcase.

We've already signed two agency deals. If it continues like this, we'll certainly be back next year."