The State of Kuwait has increased the size of its pavilion at Arabian Travel Market, to 150 square metres this year as it gears up to expand its tourism industry.

More than ten hotel and tour operators plus Kuwait Airways and the Ministry of Information will be represented at the pavilion at ATM 2004, which will run at the Dubai World Trade Centre from May 4-7.

Mohamed Najia, Kuwait’s Advisor for the Tourism Sector at the Ministry of Information, said: “We are currently developing a tourism master plan with help from the World Tourism Organisation and the United Nations Development Project.

“There are a number of major schemes in the pipeline, including developing Failaka Island, but we will have to wait until we have completed our study of the potential for the industry before proceeding.”

Failaka Island is home to the country’s main archeological sites which date back to the bronze age.

This year’s ATM is the largest in the event’s 11-year-history with over 1,400 exhibitors from 55 countries and a 30% increase in occupied floor space.

Matt Thompson, Group Exhibition Director, Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE), which organizes ATM, said: “All the GCC countries are coming to ATM with strong investment plans and a commitment to expanding their tourism and travel infrastructure this year.”

Arabian Travel Market 2004 will also have first-time national participation from Iran and Abu Dhabi.