In spite of the latest incidents in Lebanon, 13 national pavilions participated and more than 100 exhibiting company…
In spite of the latest incidents in Lebanon, 13 national pavilions participated and more than 100 exhibiting company as evidence of their support to Lebanon through these difficult times.
AWTTE is organized by the Lebanese Ministry of Tourism and Al-Iktissad Wal-Aamal Group in cooperation with the Middle East Airlines.
Objective
The Arab World Travel and Tourism Exchange aims at presenting the latest travel packages in the
Middle East specifically the Levant area. It also promotes tourism and international understanding of cultures.
Date & Venue
AWTTE 2005 took place at BIEL Center in Beirut on September 29 – October 2.
Promotions
An extensive promotional campaign was executed to announce AWTTE 2005 to the trade professionals through international travel trade publications and e-newsletters as well as TV stations, naming TTG – Middle East & North Africa, eTurbo News, Al-Aqariya TV, Worldroom Travel TV, Arab Tourism Channel, TTN, Travel Daily News, Middle East Travel and Al-Iktissad Wal- Aamal magazines.
The public in Lebanon was targeted through advertising on billboards, unipoll, flyers, local and regional newspapers, TV and radio stations, naming Annahar, Al Balad, Assafir, Al Mustakbal, ANB, LBCI, Future TV, NBN, NTV, TL and a Live show coverage on both public days by Radio Delta.
In addition, a dynamic web site has been developed to promote AWTTE, its activities, sponsors and exhibitors online. Sponsors’ logos are posted with a direct link to their web sites as well as exhibitor’s company description and contact details are included in the online exhibitor directory.
Furthermore, a section dedicated to the press for posting the exhibitor news!
Highlights
In spite of the latest incidents in Lebanon, AWTTE registered over 6,700 visitors, 13 national pavilions and more than 100 exhibiting company.
Exhibition Opening
The opening ceremony took place under the patronage of HE Mr. Joseph Sarkis, Lebanese Minister of Tourism on September 29 followed by the Opening Gala Dinner at Le Royal Beirut, the Gold Host Hotel.
During the Gala Dinner Minister Sarkis appreciated the strong faith and confidence in Lebanon in its remarkable location and promising tourism future. “Lebanon is not only a tourist destination wellknown for its climate and natural attractions, but it is also distinguished for its people, their openminded culture and strive for freedom and democracy,” he said.
The organizing group’s director, Mr. Raouf Abou Zaki, also spoke about the importance of tourism and its potential in Lebanon. He hightlighted the opportunities that AWTTE presents to the toruism industry in the Middle East. “AWTTE is not merely a gathering for trade professionals and tourists. It is an economic, tourist, investment and social convention where participants meet to network and interact. We promise that next year’s edition will add to AWTTE portfolio a comprehensive conference and a larger exhibition. However, this objective cannot be achieved without the intensive cooperation between the public and private sectors of tourism, political and economic aspects.”
Award Presentation
The Opening Gala Dinner also included a Lifetime Achievement Awards Presentation in to the below leaders in appreciation of their work and contribution to develop the tourism industry in the region:
Mr. Mohammad Al-Hout, Chairman and CEO of Middle East Airlines
Mr. Mazen Salha and Mr. Marwan Salha, Owners of Societe Grande Hotels Libanaise, owning company of the InterContinental Phoenicia and Le Vendome Hotels
Mr. Nadhmi Auchi, Chairman and CEO of General Mediterranean Holding, owning group of Le Royal Hotels chain and ANB TV
The awards were presented by Minister Joseph Sarkis, Director Gerenal of Tourism, Nada Sardouk and Al-Iktissad Wal-Aamal’s General Manager, Raouf Abou Zaki.
Hosted Buyer Program
Since its re-launch in 2003 with Al-Iktissad Wal-Aamal Group, AWTTE organizers, in cooperation with the Middle East Airlines and major hotels in Lebanon, have been hosting over 100 international tour operators and travel agents each year. Hosted buyers from Europe, US, Gulf states, North Africa and the Far East are invited to meet sellers from the Middle East and network with them at AWTTE for potential packages purchase.
The hosted buyer program included complimentary round trip ticket, 5-nights stay on BB basis, commercial exposure of the hosted buyer and his profile 1-month prior to the exhibition. In addition, the online hosted buyer section offered pre-scheduling of appointments with exhibitors to meet during the event. Hosted buyers were also invited to a familiarization trip covering major attractions in Lebanon and all social functions at AWTTE to interact with exhibitors.
Hotel Benefit Program
The hotel benefit program was a new concept added to the 2005 edition of AWTTE. Its purpose is to allow different hotels in Lebanon the chance to present their products, rooms, banquets, meeting facilities to hosted international tour operators.
This program enhanced networking opportunities between hosted buyers and hoteliers where now this international tour operator can actually sell his clients packages after inspection. The hotels tour was organized during the morning hours of the 2 trade exhibition days. The tour was divided into 2 groups and included over 20 four and five-stars hotels. Each tour was followed by a lunch hosted by InterContinental Phoenicia, Habtoor City, Le Royal Beirut and Movenpick Hotel & Resort Beirut.
International Hosted Press program
More than 30 international journalists and media representatives were invited to attend AWTTE 2005, cover the show and its activities, sponsors and exhibitors. The hosted press program also included a round trip ticket, 5-nights stay on BB basis, interviewing and press room facilities, participation in all AWTTE functions and hotels tour. The hosted press were taken on a familiarization trip to major attractions in Lebanon in order to cover their whole experience of Lebanon and what it can offer.
Functions at the Exhibition
During the opening hours, the organizers and exhibitors drew on interesting activities for the public and networking facilities for the trade professionals. Furthermore, a live radio show covered the 2 public days on Radio Delta interviewing visitors and exhibitors on tourism trends and their latest packages to travel.
Meetings Scheduling with International HostedBuyers
Pre-scheduling services with hosted buyers were offered on AWTTE web site prior to the exhibition, where exhibitors could set one-to-one appointments with the invited tour operators in order to meet at AWTTE.
Trade visitors were also allowed to schedule meeting with hosted buyers on the third day in the Hosted buyer meeting room.
Public Prizes
Exhibitors granted valuable prizes, round trip tickets, holidays, weekend stays, etc. through a raffle draw that was also transmitted live on Radio Delta.
Exhibitors who granted the above prizes were: Abou Merhi Cruises, Avis Rent a Car, Barakat Travel, Cyprus Tourism Organization, Grand Hotel Kadri, Holiday Inn Dunes, Hotel’s Pro, InterContinental Phoenicia, Kuwait Airways, Le Royal Hotel Amman, Le Royal Hotel Beirut, Middle East Airlines, Mercy Corps, Movenpick Hotel & Resort Beirut, Noura Rent a Car, Qatar Airways, Rydges Plaza Doha, SRI International and Turkish Airlines.
Cultural Groups
As guest country, Qatar Tourism Authority presented a Qatari cultural group, which attracted the public with a traditional tent serving traditional Qatari sweet (Awwam), music and henna. A Malaysian and Lebanese folkloric dance groups also added to the show an enthusiastic atmosphere and a unique cultural experience to the public.
Social Events
To increase the chance of networking and making new friends in the travel industry, AWTTE sponsors and partners organized several social events.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
