HH Sheikh Mohammed opens 13th Arabian Travel market and speaks of Dubai's expanding vision

Sheikh Mohammed toured the show, which occupies all halls at Dubai World Trade Centre, accompanied by Tom Nutley, Chairman of Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE), which organizes the event. Also in the VIP entourage were Lebanese Tourism Minister, Joseph Sarkis, Egyptian Tourism Minister Zohair Karrana, the Chairman of Saudi Arabia's Supreme Commission for Tourism HH Prince Sultan Bin Salman and Oman's Tourism Minister Dr. Rajha Bint Abdul Emir bin Ali.

During the tour Sheikh Mohammed heard of many new emerging projects and destinations and stopped for a lengthy briefing on Dubai World Central - the new airport city being built in Jebel Ali - a development dubbed one of the most significant in the emirate.

"Our vision continues to expand," HH told his entourage.

Arabian Travel Market 2006 features over 1,750 exhibitors from 59 countries with first time participation from Ireland, Japan and Poland. RTE believes the show, which has annually recorded double-digit growth, will continue to expand.

"International awareness of the show is expanding year-on-year and with the Middle East's airlines opening up new routes and destinations, additional countries are looking to leverage their tourism potential among the region's much sought-after outbound traveling business and leisure public,"

said Nutley.

"At the same time, Middle Eastern participation at the show is expanding as new projects seek to gain business from the many overseas buyers attending the event. The future looks good."

Arabian Travel Market 2006 runs until Friday night and during the week features a free-to-attend educational programme including an increased number of seminars covering the tourism industry's latest hot topics.

The show is open to trade visitors only on Wednesday and Thursday morning but the public can visit on Thursday evening and Friday evening with adults paying a Dhs25 entry fee. Youngsters under 16 can enter free of charge when accompanied by an adult while visitors with an American Express Card are also eligible for complimentary entry.