The 17th edition of the Arabian Travel Market, or the ATM, will see the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) hosting 112 buyers this year (as against 105 last year), at its stand at the exhibition measuring 1,225 square metres (compared to 1,152 sq mt) housing 87 booths and 114 co-participants.
The DTCM said it would be making a spectacular showing of Dubai's expanding tourism industry portfolio at the show. The Dubai Stand (UAE 2300) is located in Hall 3 of DICEC.
While the first three days of the show will be exclusively for the travel and tourism industry professionals, the concluding day - May 7 (Friday), has been reserved for general public.
The world's third-biggest travel and tourism fair is being held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and the auspices of the DTCM.
The DTCM Director Overseas Promotions and Inward Missions, Saleh Mohammed Al Geziry, said the number of booths and corner areas of the stand have also been increased - from 78 to 87 and from four to seven, respectively.
The government entities participating at the Dubai stand are Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) and General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners' Affairs (GDRFA).
During the ATM 2010, presentations will be carried out by GDRFA, RTA and Dubai Convention Bureau (DCB), which will be open to the Dubai stand co-participants, DTCM said.
It added that representatives from each of the DTCM's 18 Overseas Representation Offices will also be on hand to support the Dubai co-participants on the matters pertaining to their respective countries.
Tourist spend in UAE to increase 18%
The tourism spend in the UAE is set to increase to Dh32.4 billion by 2014, up 18 per cent from 2009's spend of Dh27.5bn, as predicted by Euromonitor International, the global consumer market analyst firm.
Its data further reveals that while the spend will increase by Dh4.9bn, the overall visitor numbers will grow by more than 19 per cent by 2014. Most tourists are said to be coming from markets such as Saudi Arabia, India and the UK.
In terms of UAE visitor numbers, meanwhile, the UK will make up the largest number, increasing from a little more than one million in 2009 to 1.2 million by 2014, according to the Euromonitor report.
Caroline Bremner, Global Travel and Tourism Manager, Euromonitor International, who is due to unveil the full report during the ATM 2010, said: "Faced with a global economic crisis of epic proportions, the Middle East has suffered a slowdown in travel and tourism demand from key source markets.
"With continued investment in infrastructure, and strategic vision in place, the region continues to offer growth opportunities. However, a greater commitment to diversification would ensure the region can meet its full potential."
What top industry officials have to say about ATM 2010
The Arabian Travel Market is a very important event for the hotel industry in this part of the world, and certainly for the Jumeirah Group. I am very pleased that the event has managed to grow year on year. It is very encouraging and important for us
Gerald Lawless, Executive Chairman, Jumeirah Group
For Starwood, ATM gives us the opportunity to meet with our existing partners and to network with travel professionals from around the world to see how we can work together and create new business opportunities that benefit all parties
Guido De Wilde, VP, Regional Director,Starwood Hotels & Resorts Middle East
It is one of the major travel shows and we have been extremely pleased with the outcome of previous years. Traditionally, ATM has provided a good opportunity and focus for securing business across the summer period and we anticipate that this will be the case again this year
Marko Hytonen, Area Vice-President,Rezidor Hotel Group
This year's event is as important as ever. We face a new reality on pricing but the Middle East has a fantastic product to offer and we must work together to drive market share in the region. I see some business deals taking place during this show
Darroch Crawford, Managing Director,Premier Inn Middle East
The ATM provides us with a great sales opportunity. It is a forum to showcase our achievements like new openings, innovative products and promotions, as well as strengthen our partnerships. The Middle East is leading in recovery of the travel and tourism sector
Julien Bonafous, Director of International Sales, Hilton Worldwide, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Oman
We are delighted to participate in ATM for the second year in a row. This year we can showcase the success we have achieved in our first operational year and our near-future plans to the thousands of ATM visitors
Abdulsalam Al Bahar, Chairman & MD, Wataniya Airways
ATM has an established audience already and we are still positive on business opportunities from this exhibition. We certainly hope to bring our products and services closer to our customers and continue to get good leads out of our exposure during this year's show
Martin Massüger, Director, Head of Sales,
Middle East and Africa, SWISS
Arabian Travel Market is a one-stop-shop for the world of travel and tourism. This year there will be a heavy focus on recovery but compared to the last couple of years we will be looking to positive growth rather than how to cope and ride out the downturn
Mark Walsh, Group Exhibition Director, Reed Travel Exhibitions (ATM organisers)
The travel and tourism industry in the region has bounced back after the slowdown and we expect this year's ATM to be a success. ATM is an excellent platform to network with the industry leaders, strengthen relationships and establish new business contacts
Tarique Khatri, Vice-President - Business Development, Cleartrip
With the demogra-phics and business opportunities that the Middle East offers, ATM serves as an important event for the travel and tourism industry. For sure, we are looking at closing and announcing new business agreements in addition to generating new leads from the expo
Antoine Medawar, Vice-President, Amadeus Mena
Positive trends already visible in tourism sector
With the belief that the worst is over for the hospitality sector, Marc Dardenne, Chief Executive Officer, to a major hospitality Industry, says Dubai is well on its way to recovery.
How do you think this year's ATM will perform... given the slowdown in the travel/tourism trade?
The Arabian Travel Market is an important event in the region's tourism and hospitality calendar. We believe that the worst is over for the global tourism business and we are already witnessing positive trends - both in terms of travel statistics and occupancy levels.
Dubai is now a preferred tourist destination for several new and emerging markets in the Mena region, the Indian Subcontinent, China, and Europe. The expansion of regional airlines, including Emirates, to new destinations is another catalyst for the tourism and hospitality sectors. We are confident that ATM 2010 will have a robust turnout, both in the number of visitors and participants.
Do you see major business deals taking place during the ATM ?
The Arabian Travel Market is a premier event that the hospitality and travel industries await for key announcements and business deals. We expect the same momentum this year also.
Do you expect to sign any business deals at this year's ATM?
As the hospitality provider of Emaar, we complement the company's strategy of developing integrated lifestyle developments.
Emaar Hospitality Group will partner in Emaar's hospitality development in all its key markets. We remain open to growth opportunities that will potentially be showcased at ATM 2010.
What would the ATM mean for your sector this year?
The Arabian Travel Market will bring together leisure and hospitality organisations from around the world. This event gives everyone in the industry the opportunity to network, learn about new trends and plan for the future.
What is the impact of the global crisis on the travel sector? When do you see a recovery taking place?
Like all global economies, the Gulf was also impacted by the challenges of the economic crisis. Tourism and hospitality - two of the main drivers of the economy - naturally faced unprecedented challenges. However, Dubai's hospitality sector recorded a promising year in 2009. In fact, the industry consolidated its experience to better its product offerings and enhance service standards.
The overall indicators were also robust with the Dubai International Airport welcoming more than 40 million visitors last year. Already the trends of a positive revival are evident. According to a recent report by Euromonitor International, tourism spend in the UAE is set to increase by 18 per cent from Dh27.5 billion in 2009 to Dh32.4 billion by 2014 and visitor numbers are expected to grow by 19 per cent.
What are your views on the performance of the Middle East hospitality sector in 2009? How do you project 2010 to turn out for the region's travel trade?
With tourist arrivals from Europe, the GCC and Indian Subcontinent, and corporate travel increasing, the hospitality sector is expected to be positive this year.
Most of the hotels recorded high occupancy levels, and we are looking at positive growth through 2010. The population of Dubai grew 7.8 per cent to 1.7 million last year and passenger traffic at Dubai airport crossed 40 million - factors are indicative of the confidence in the sector.
The World Travel and Tourism Council estimates that tourism in the Gulf is set to expand considerably at an annualised average growth rate of 5.2 per cent during 2010-2012.(Shweta Jain)
Around the world in 30 minutes with Emirates
Emirates Group will once again this year make its presence felt at the Arabian Travel Market in a strong way at its rotating Emirates Globe stand. At 9.5 metres high and with a circumference of 65 metres, it is poised to be a star attraction at the show.
Visitors to the stand will have the opportunity to sample the industry-leading First Class Suites onboard Emirates' 777-200LR, 777-300ER and A380 aircraft in a specially recreated cabin area, while the stand will also take guests around the world in 30 minutes as the entire three-storey structure slowly rotates a full 360 degrees.
As Emirates, the official airline of the 2010 Arabian Travel Market (ATM), marks 17 years as a loyal supporter of ATM, the colossal structure has been rejuvenated with some exciting new features for 2010 - a year in which the airline has already confirmed the addition of six new routes to its network of more than 100 destinations.
Emirates said its fleet of 146 aircraft is expanding almost monthly, with the ongoing delivery of $49 billion (Dh179.83bn) of aircraft on order, while its network is growing at a similar pace, with Prague (July 1), Madrid (August 1) and Dakar (September 1) following the May 1 launch to Amsterdam, which came just over a month after the airline's inaugural flight to Tokyo.
Richard Vaughan, Emirates' Divisional Senior Vice-President, Commercial Operations Worldwide, said: "Emirates has emerged from a challenging period a leaner and stronger operation and as we focus on expanding our network with new routes, we see ATM as a tremendous opportunity to raise awareness of these destinations. Emirates is committed to the consolidation of Dubai's status as a world-class tourist destination and business hub, and as the largest aviation and travel services player in the region, we are proud to be playing a part in the ongoing success of ATM."
