As the Gulf Incentive Business Travel and Meetings Exhibition (GIBTM) opened its doors on Tuesday 31 March, Abu Dhabi welcomed the largest gathering of meetings professionals in the Gulf. Paul Kennedy MBE, Reed Travel Exhibitions, Group Exhibitions Director, Meetings and Incentive Events, reported that this year’s GIBTM was 7% larger than the previous year, with around 2,000 professional attendees expected during the three day event.

With a total of 240 exhibitors representing 39 countries, GIBTM has also welcomed 19 new exhibitors from 12 countries, many from the Gulf and Middle East. These include Jordan, Oman, Gulf Air, Turkish Air, as well as hotel groups Hilton, Movenpick and Manila Hotel from the Philippines as well as Seoul Convention Bureau, Vienna Convention Bureau, ICC Durban, Costa Del Sol Tourist Board, Meet Taiwan, ApartmentStay, Energy Cities Alliance, Rendezvous Italiano, Russkie Prostori and China CYTS.

The event is hosting 240 Hosted Buyers -up 7% on last year– from 39 countries; 80 from the Middle East and UAE; Asia Pacific 59 and Europe 77. This highlights the importance regional buyers are placing on the event to do business.

The largest rises compared to last year were seen in the number of pre scheduled appointments – up 23% at 6,390 and pre registered visitors expected to attend up 21% to 2,468.

Commenting on the figures Paul Kennedy said: “Despite tough and challenging times, these statistics prove that the meetings industry is in a resilient and optimistic mood. With budgets for meeting, incentives, conferences and events being squeezed there is increasing recognition of the importance of meeting and events to an organisation’s success and GIBTM is a testament to that.”

Turning specifically to the Gulf and Middle East he continued: “There is a confidence about the Region; its cultural and historical diversity offers the industry so much. Relatively new players like Abu Dhabi, Oman, Sharjah and Qatar have something very different to offer. There truly is a destination, venue, hotel, incentive package for every requirement and budget.”

GIBTM 2009 runs for a further two days - Wednesday 1 April and Thursday 2 April – at ADNEC, Abu Dhabi. Registration on the day is free of charge for business professionals. GIBTM 2010 takes place from Monday 29th to Wednesday 31st March.