Despite a downturn in global travel and tourism due to the outbreak of SARS, the 10th edition of the Arabian Travel Market 2003 which…
Despite a downturn in global travel and tourism due to the outbreak of SARS, the 10th edition of the Arabian Travel Market 2003 which closed at the Airport Expo Dubai has set a record for trade, media and travel buyer participation.
By the end of Thursday, the show, which was the largest in the series organised by Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE), recorded participation by 12,655 trade-associated professions – a rise of 16 per cent on last year, according to a report in Gulf news. Some 6,827 travel and tourism professionals from 73 countries visited the show in the first three days – an increase of 21 per cent on last year. Media attendance was up 15 per cent with some 691 media professionals covering the show. Other increases were recorded in the number of VIP guests and exhibiting personnel.
This show was clearly seen by the trade as a international opportunity to claw back business lost over recent months because of the various challenges the industry has faced in recent months, said Matt Thompson, group exhibition director, Overseas Events, RTE. A significant trend is the increased number of trade professionals from Saudi Arabia attending, which was 434 – and that`s a third up on last year. Arabian Travel Market 2003 featured 783 exhibitors from 55 countries and took up a total of 9,000 square metres. There were 60 new stand holders, including national pavilions from Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. And as the curtain came down on the show, work had already begun on Arabian Travel Market 2004, which will be held at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre from May 4-7.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
