Dubai set for biggest-ever showing at ATM-2006

Measuring 801 square meters, the Dubai stand is the biggest that the DTCM has ever set up with an all-time record of 124 co-participants from the private and the public sector.

This year, Dubai's stand will be 28.59 per cent larger than 2005 edition. The co-participants from the public sector are Dubai Convention Bureau, Dubai Police, Dubai Shopping Festival, Dubai Summer Surprises, Dubai World Trade Centre and the Dubai Naturalization and Residency Department.

The four-day premier event of tourism and travel industry of the Middle East will feature 106 new exhibitors this year bringing in 4,814 square metres of additional space to the exhibition. The total number of participating countries stands at 59.

The phenomenal increase in Dubai's presence at the ATM can be gauged from its humble beginning in 1995. The Dubai stand in the ATM in 1995 measured 225 square meters and had 18 co-participants and 14 booths.

Mr. Khalifa Ali Buamaim, DTCM Manager Overseas Promotions, Mr. Saleh Al Geziry, DTCM Deputy Manager Overseas Promotions, and Mr. Lloyd Kenyon, Sales Manager, Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE), organizers of the ATM under DTCM auspices, briefed the representatives of the co-participants at a pre-fair meeting held at the Al Murooj Rotana Hotel.

"Over the years, the ATM has grown phenomenally, both in terms of exhibition space and participants, and acknowledged worldwide as the premier industry event. We have been increasing our participation size every year to accommodate the demand and to showcase the unique developments taking shape in the emirate," Mr. Khalifa said.

Mr. Buamaim said:

"Dubai's strong participation speaks volumes about the significance the department and its co-participants give to ATM to showcase Dubai's strengths and opportunities in tourism and commerce domains."

He disclosed that Dubai's rapidly-expanding hospitality industry posted a record growth of 14 per cent increase in 2005, playing host to 6.2 million hotel guests in 2005.

Visitors to the 13th edition of the ATM will be have the opportunity to explore a number of innovative projects expected to redefine the most significant aspects of the tourism and hospitality sectors in Dubai. These include a scale model of new Movenpick properties and a special heritage corner.