Arabian Travel Market 2006 first day visitors up 19 per cent

The show, which runs until Friday night at the Dubai World Trade Centre, attracted 3,564 visitors on Monday, according to figures released by organisers Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE).

"The increase in first day visitors from across the world is a true reflection of the international importance of Arabian Travel Market," said Chris Chackal, Group Exhibition Director, Overseas Events, RTE.

"This year the whole show is on a much grander scale with many major announcements already made and more expected over the next few days.

"On the first day we welcomed many leading global travel buyers - as part of our expanded Hosted Buyer Programme - from within the GCC and the international Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) sector," said Chackal.

"Exhibitors are staffing their stands with extra personnel to cope with the increased visitor flow."

In anticipation of global headline grabbing news there has been an increase in the number of registered media covering the event. "More than 600 members of the media registered - 25% up," said Lucie Dawkins, Marketing Manager, Arabian Travel Market.

One of the 111 first time exhibitors from 59 countries, African Sunset, representing South Africa's luxurious Blue Train - which carries passengers from Victoria to Capetown - has already decided to return next year.

"The response has been absolutely phenomenal with serious business leads to follow up," said Helmut Mochel, African Sunset's Area Manager, Germany. "We are definitely returning next year - doubling our stand size.

"The Blue Train can accommodate 100 passengers on the 24 hour journey and can be chartered for private events and has a capacity of 80 for conferences. We feel we are really reaching our target audiences here at ATM," he added.

Business was also brisk for Paul O'Neil, Manager, Ground Handling, of CIE Tours International from Ireland. "ATM offers the perfect climate for laying the groundwork to raise awareness and build interest in the budding Ireland tourism industry - most notably the golfing holiday sector. I have taken a booking for 40 golfers from Dubai for later this year."

Exhibitor Katarina Dvorakova, Director of Sales, CEO, Orea Hotels in the Czech Republic reported: "From the first day I had potential business from Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Kuwait and the UAE."

Brand building and key account networking were cited by exhibitors as top line achievements at the show, which last year recorded a business generation total topping US $1 billion.

Vice President of Tourism, EGYPTAIR, Samir Imbaby said: "For us this is the largest and most significant exhibition in the Middle East because of our company's highly regionalised strategy. ATM allows us annual access to existing clients at our own branded location, of which ours is increasing every year - and the opportunity to expand our operations."

Chandana De Silva, Head of Corporate Communications of Sri Lankan Airlines, said: "This is a crucial time for Sri Lanka and this event provides us with the perfect platform to meet up with buyers and raise our profile. Already we have conducted seven media interviews on the first day for the purposes of brand positioning in this excellent venue."

Harry John, President, Montreux-Vevey Tourisme of Switzerland was emphatic in ranking the show as among the industry's premier league.

"This is the GCC show. It is growing every year as the region is booming and this fact is reflected at ATM and the expanding list of exhibitors.

"We receive 300,000 overnights annually from the GCC - a figure that has doubled over the past five years. I truly believe that our annual appearance at ATM is a key contributor to this statistic and highlights the benefits to prospective exhibitors."

Abderraouf Ben Salem, Director of Gulf, Tunisian Ministry of Tourism said: "Arabian Travel Market continues to surpass itself in terms of organisation. The increasing number of visitors is perfectly catered for by the organisers, allowing participants to gain numerous high profile deals in a consumer friendly environment."

Arabian Travel Market, which is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and under the auspices of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, features over 1,750 exhibitors from 59 countries with first time participation from Ireland, Japan and Poland.

The event has an expanded free-to-attend schedule of seminars due to demand from the travel and tourism trade.

The show is open to trade visitors only on Thursday morning but the public can visit Thursday and Friday evenings with adults paying a Dhs 25 entry fee. Youngsters under 16 can enter free of charge when accompanied by an adult. Visitors with an American Express card are eligible for complimentary entry.