Biggest ever Arabian Travel Market opens tomorrow

The 12th in the annual series and spanning more than 16,000 square metres, Arabian Travel Market 2005 is the largest ever and organiser Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE) say further growth is on the cards for next year.

"We have repeatedly recorded growth since this show was launched back in 1994, with an average of 10% per annum, but this year the response has been unprecedented," said Tom Nutley, Chairman, RTE. "This mirrors the continuing emergence of the tourism industry throughout this region and international recognition of the value of its outbound market.

"Growth is due to a number of factors, increasing stand space from the Middle East and Asia, and the entry of more than 100 first-time exhibitors," explained Nutley.

"UAE developer Nakheel will have the biggest stand in the show's history with more than 800 square metres reserved, India will also have its biggest ATM presence ever with a 504 square metres pavilion and Dubailand has upped the ante from 220 last year to a 645 square metres stand.

"Maldives, the Seychelles and Sri Lanka have each taken up more space this year and Malaysia has reserved an impressive 400 square metres pavilion, testimony of the region's resolute efforts to bounce back from the recent Tsunami disaster and boost confidence to both industry onlookers and holidaymakers.

"Amongst the new entries this year, we welcome Finland and South Africa's first national pavilion at the show, as well as a multitude of travel and tourism organisations from across the world."

Show growth, says Nutley, is also resulting from spiralling inbound and outbound demand.

"Inbound growth has been phenomenal and looks set to continue as more regional countries step up their tourism infrastructure and promotional efforts," said Nutley.

"Recent World Tourism Organisation statistics confirm that the Middle East's inbound tourism sector will grow at an annual average of 7% every year until 2020, far outpacing every other region in the world and reaching the 65 million mark.

"The Middle East is now the world's fourth most visited region as it registered more than 35 million arrivals in 2004. This dramatic improvement in tourism arrivals and its potential to double within the next 15 years will further fuel demand for Arabian Travel Market floor space."

And outbound demand is as buoyant as ever with new destinations seeking a share of the lucrative Middle East travellers' business.

"The Middle East's growing airline sector, with the advent of new-to-market players and the increased frequency of flights and addition of new exciting destinations in the portfolios of the region's established carriers, are playing a major role in the rapid development of outbound traffic," said Nutley.

"Industry statistics repeatedly show that Arab tourists from the Gulf states alone spend about US $12 billion on overseas vacations - that's a very enticing market. Saudi Arabia is one of the biggest outbound markets with tourists from the Kingdom spending US $6.7 billion annually on overseas travel - that's about 5% of the country's GDP.

"The average length of stay in a country by a Middle Eastern traveller is three weeks, according to the hospitality industry."

ATM, said Nutley, has now entered the mega show league with the 2005 edition set to be an all-round record-breaker.

The show opening is expected also to attract its largest ever VVIP contingent. This will include: His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President, Department of Civil Aviation, Government of Dubai and Chairman of the Emirates Group; the Maldives Deputy Minister of Tourism, Mr Mohammed Saeed; Mrs Nabila Al Anjari, Kuwait's Assistant Undersecretary of Tourism, Ministry of Information, and a strong Indian delegation including Kawbak Hameed, Honourable Minister for Tourism, Government of Uttar Pradesh, Dr Geeta Reddy, Honourable Minister for Tourism, Government of Andhra Pradesh and Rajeev Talwar, Additional Director General, Ministry of Tourism, Transport Bhawan.

Arabian Travel Market 2005 is also on track to beat previous visitor levels.
Trade visitors from 97 countries have pre registered for the show including a high number of international travel and tourism industry buyers and RTE is confident that the number will exceed last year's event, which attracted trade professionals from 96 countries.

"In celebrating the success of the show, we are appreciative of the immense support we have received from the Government of Dubai, from Emirates, our official carrier, and the many industry partners around the region who have annually committed to this leading event," said Nutley.

Arabian Travel Market 2005 is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Defence Minister and under the auspices of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, Government of Dubai (DTCM).

"The show's global appeal is also a sound proof of Dubai's dramatic emergence as a top international destination which constantly invests in its tourism product and reinvents its offering to stay at the forefront of the sector's developments and reach its target," said Eyad Ali Abdul Rahman, Manager, Media Relations, DTCM.

"We look forward to welcoming again this year in Dubai the world's travel trade specialists, giving them the opportunity to experience the ever changing landscape of the emirate's hospitality map."

Nearly 70 of the world's leading travel buyers from within the GCC and the international Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Events (MICE) sector are being hosted to Arabian Travel Market 2005. Many will fly with Emirates and will stay at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, Dubai, the official hosted buyer property for this year's event.

"The event is setting industry standards with each passing year and our continuous support of Arabian Travel Market is testimony to the airline's commitment to the travel and tourism sectors and a tangible example of its active contribution to Dubai's economy," said Hamad Obaidalla, Senior Vice President Commercial Operations Gulf, Middle East & Iran, Emirates.

"The show grows in tandem with Emirates airline, which is the world's fastest growing intercontinental carrier flying to 77 destinations in more than 54 countries worldwide."

ATM 2005 will also benefit from a packed free-to-attend educational programme including a conference and seminar series. The Travel Distribution Executive Conference, an exclusive venue inside the exhibition where trade professionals can meet, question and do business with travel distribution leaders will be held on 4th May, from 09.00am - 17.30pm.

The seminar stream will explore the latest industry topics including, 'Trends in the UAE's outbound travel', 'Arabian Travel & Tourism The 2005 - 2015 Economic Forecasts,' organised by the World Travel & Tourism Council, 'How to sell to American and European MICE buyers', 'Aiming for the Summit' and the Jordan Tourism Board's 'Helping Nature, Helping People'. All seminars are free to ATM delegates, no booking is required and seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

From May 3-5, Arabian Travel Market 2005 will be a trade-only forum.

"We anticipate numerous announcements, many deals and commitments for future business relationships," said Nutley. "It has to be remembered that this is first and foremost a business generation event."

A huge media corps is also set to descend on the show with journalists from 28 countries having pre-registered their attendance. Official Arabian Travel Market 2005 media partners include: the Travel Channel, Dubai Radio News and BBC World, the BBC commercially-funded 24-hour international news and information channel.

Friday, May 6 has been allocated consumer day with the public being allowed entry for a special evening session. This year, entry fees from the consumer session will be donated to RTE's 'Just A Drop' charity to provide fresh water to communities ravaged by the December tsunami in Asia. Adults will pay a Dhs 5 entry fee, while youngsters under the age of 16 will be allowed in free, provided they are accompanied by an adult.

Opening times of Arabian Travel Market 2005 are as follows:

Tuesday, May 3
11.00 - 18.00 Meridian Club & Trade Visitors

Wednesday, May 4
10.00 - 18.00 Meridian Club & Trade Visitors

Thursday, May 5
10.00 - 17.00 Meridian Club & Trade Visitors

Friday, May 6 (consumers)
16.00 - 21.00 Meridian Club & Trade Visitors