Official Hotel Guide International (OHGI), a leading global print and on-line hotel directory, says inward investment into…
Official Hotel Guide International (OHGI), a leading global print and on-line hotel directory, says inward investment into Dubai’s ambitious
OHGI, produced by the UK-headquartered North Star, is predicting growth in its own Middle East business following its largest-ever Arabian Travel Market participation this May.
The company has increased the size of its stand for Arabian Travel Market 2002 by 62% over last year. “ATM 2001 was a very successful event for us and as a direct result, the number of regional hotels present in OHGI has increased by 24%,” said Duncan A. Raitt, Regional Sales Manager, OHGI. “We predict continued growth during 2002 and are now closely monitoring the Middle East where a dedicated regional office is always a possibility.
“Investment in projects like Palm Island will ensure continued growth in the hotel sector but will also lead to stiffer competition between existing hotels.” At Arabian Travel Market 2002, which will be held at the Airport Expo Dubai, United Arab Emirates from May 7-10, OGHI plans to demonstrate its online capabilities.
OHGI is among exhibitors from 33 countries so far contracted for Arabian Travel Market 2002, which is organised by
“More than 20 major hotel groups or individual destination properties have already committed to the show and many more will be represented within the 35 national country pavilions so far confirmed,” said Matt Thompson, Group Exhibition Director (Overseas Events), RTE.
Arabian Travel Market 2002 represents the ninth in the highly-successful annual series, the only travel and tourism event with a true Pan Arab reach. RTE says despite the international travel downturn it expects this year’s event to match its record 2001 showing when over 700 exhibitors from 59 countries participated and over 10,000 people, including 6,336 trade professionals visited.
“Realistically we do not expect to match the 15-20% annual growth the show had experienced since its launch, but we anticipate delivering a show similar in size to last year,” said Thompson. “All major hotel chains in Dubai, for instance, are supporting the event and that is important.”
RTE, which is part of Reed Exhibition Companies (REC), organises 11 events world wide, including World Travel Market, Arabian Travel Market, C.I.S. Travel Market, EIBTM, British Travel Trade Fair, PATA Travel Mart, International Golf Travel Market, Mediterranean Travel Fair, Top Resa, AIME and ICCA Exhibition in association with ICCA Congress.
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