Arabian Travel Market, which will have its 15th showing in May next year, has appointed Simon Press as its dedicated Exhibition Director- a position created to reflect the significant growth of the annual event.

Arabian Travel Market has also strengthened its marketing team with the appointment of a Marketing Executive and Marketing Co-ordinator as well as increasing its sales exposure with a Regional Account Manager.

Arabian Travel Market underlines what is definitely the world`s fastest growing tourism region and provides a key interaction and business platform for inbound and outbound industry professionals, said Mark Walsh, Group Exhibition Director, Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE) - organiser of Arabian Travel Market.

Through these appointments, our expanded team will be able to continually monitor what is relevant and topical in the regional tourism industry. Paying special attention to Middle East requirements will further establish us as the region`s number one travel and trade exhibition.

Prior to joining Arabian Travel Market, Press was Event Manager of Retail Solutions - the UK`s largest show for the retail technology sector. He has over six years of experience and been closely involved in successful launches of new initiatives and programmes to boost show visitor profile and attendance.

We want to ensure there is enhanced content for visitors and exhibitors at Arabian Travel Market, such as increased international presence and private sector Middle East representation and topical seminars, said Press.

In my new role, and with the highly experienced Arabian Travel Market team, we will introduce new initiatives to the show and build upon some of the existing programmes.

Sameer Jalali, who joins the team as Regional Account Manager based in Dubai, has over 12 years of experience in the Middle-East travel and hospitality industry.

Sarah Kitley, Arabian Travel Market`s Marketing Executive, has worked on a number of events across the UK and Europe and Frances Wheeler-Bennett takes on the newly created Marketing Co-ordinator`s role. Both Kitley and Wheeler-Bennett will be based out of RTE in London.

Arabian Travel Market will be held at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC) from May 6 - 9, 2008.

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, Ruler of Dubai, and under the auspices of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing.