REPORT - ATM 2006 - DUBAI: Arabian Travel Market – the Middle East’s premier travel and tourism show which got under way at the Dubai World Trade Centre – has registered continued strong growth with 39% more occupied floor space than last year and over 1750 exhibitors from 59 countries.

The 13th in the annual series – and spanning more than 22,437 square metres – Arabian Travel Market 2006 is the grandest ever and organiser Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE) says further expansion is expected next year.

“Since the show was first launched in 1994 we have repeatedly recorded growth averaging 10% per annum – this year the demand has continued and guarantees our 13th ATM to be a success,” said Tom Nutley, Chairman, RTE.

“This highlights the continuing expansion of the tourism industry throughout this region as well as the increasing value of the outbound market, with new destinations seeing the Middle East as a key target market. The Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority will have the biggest stand in the show’s history with 1,034 square metres reserved – an increase of 72% from 2005. The Greek National Tourism Organisation has increased its stand size by 143% this year and Argentina has increased its presence by 192%,” he said.

“This year we are welcoming new countries as first time exhibitors - including Japan, Poland, Ireland and Ethiopia among the 50 official organisations from 59 representative countries.”

“Year on year we can repeatedly say we have experienced our biggest and best show - and 2006 looks set to smash the records all round. The continued surge in growth is resulting from demand in both the inbound and outbound sectors,” Nutley explained.

RTE also reports a huge increase this year in the pre-registered trade visitors – more than double last year’s figures.

“Our statistics show that nearly 83% of these are of management status and above – giving further credence that ATM attracts influential buyers who have significant spending power,” said Nutley.

“Recent World Tourism Organisation statistics predict that travel and tourism will generate US$ 148 billion worth of activity in the Middle East alone this year, accounting for 9.6% of GDP and 4,590,000 jobs – 10.1% of total employment. Within the UAE travel and tourism activity is expected to grow by 4.4% per annum in real terms between 2007 and 2016,” said Nutley.

“Travel and tourism exports are expected to represent 10.4 % of total exports in 2006 – which is a huge contribution to the regional economy.”

Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) – under whose auspices ATM is held - reemphasised this importance.

“This year’s ATM is more significant to Dubai than the previous editions as the exhibition comes at a time when Dubai’s booming hospitality industry reported record levels of growth in 2005 – both in terms of guest numbers reaching a record 6.2 million, and revenues touching AED 8.8 billion,” said Khalifa Ali Buamaim, Manager Overseas Promotions, DTCM.

“The performance is an indicator of the popularity of Dubai as an ideal year-round destination. The large participation of public and private sector organisations strongly reflects the common vision, determination and teamwork being invested to promote Dubai.”

“Our strong participation also speaks volumes about the significance we give to ATM to showcase Dubai’s strengths and opportunities. The department has been increasing the size of its ATM stand every year to accommodate more co-participants: this year will offer visitors another opportunity to explore a number of innovative projects taking shape in Dubai which are expected to redefine the most significant aspects of the tourism and hospitality sectors,” he said.

This year DTCM has its largest ever stand, measuring 801 square metres – 29% bigger than last year – with 70 booths and 124 co-participants.

RTE is confident previous all-round visitor figures will peak this year. Trade visitors from 106 countries have pre-registered for the show including a high percentage of international travel and tourism industry buyers.

More than 100 of the world’s leading travel buyers from within the GCC and the international Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) sector are being hosted to Arabian Travel Market 2006.

“Emirates is proud to contribute to Dubai’s strengthening reputation as a global travel and tourism centre, and to be Official Carrier of Arabian Travel Market – which has grown to become one of the travel industry’s benchmark events,” said Hamad Obaidalla, Senior Vice President for Commercial Operations, Emirates airline.

“Like Emirates, Arabian Travel Market breaks new records and sets higher standards each year, growing in parallel with Dubai’s rapid development. Many of this year’s exhibitors represent countries already served by Emirates, and several repeat participants have increased their presence at the event. This clearly demonstrates the importance of Arabian Travel Market as the region’s premier travel and MICE event, and we look forward to a successful show.”

ATM 2006 also benefits from a packed free-to-attend educational programme – including an increased number of seminars due to demand from the travel and tourism trade. The 11 seminars are being held on May 3 and 4, exploring a range of industry topics.

On Wednesday these include: ‘Brand Dubai’, organised by MICE International, Using Online Media to Drive a Relationship With Your Target Audience’, ‘Online Travel is not the Future – It is the Present’, ‘Air Arabia – A Revolution in Air Travel’, ‘Health Tourism in Thailand/Private Medical Services Throughout Thailand’.

Thursday’s seminars’ programme includes: ‘Continuing Growth in Gulf Outbound Travel – The Main Drivers’, ‘Executive Suites – Who is the Target and How Do You Cater to Them’, ‘Branding a Destination for Future Success’, Tourism of Japan’, ‘Living and Working in the Middle East’ and ‘Making You Famous!....How to Stand Out From the Crowd in the Arabian Market’.

Arabian Travel Market 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, Government of Dubai.

“We anticipate a packed and exciting show with several announcements of new airline routes, hotels, partnership deals, and other major tourism developments globally,” said Nutley.