A MARKET IN THE GULF

It was suspected that in 2009, the Arabian Travel Market held at the Dubai World International Convention and Exhibition Center in the U.A.E. would suffer a severe blow following the pangs of the global recession, however, the turnout was not only a positive surprise, it also reflected the true players in the game of travel and tourism in the region.

Featuring over 2,000 exhibitors from 69 countries, ATM covered the Middle East and North Africa, Europe, Asia, South-East Asia and Australasia, the Americas and Africa.

This year also saw ATM celebrating its 16th anniversary. Though there were some changes, what remained was a positive vibe and the business outlook remained strong.

Due to the global economic meltdown, it was expected that there would be a softening of all businesses including travel, however the Arabian Travel 2009 post-market analysis actually found a substantial increase in attendance compared to 2008.

With 15,026 visitors, there was a 6.5 per cent rise in attendance, a 1.9 per cent increase in the Buyers Club as well as 5.14 per cent increase in travel trade professionals.

The purpose of these shows is for travel product and service providers from around the world to see what each other has to offer and in hope of scooping some serious business on their behalf.

The event encourages promotion of inbound and outbound tourism products within the Middle East and to a wide-diversity of decision executers around the world.

The primary organizers of ATM-Reed Travel Exhibitions demonstrated faith in the show’s delightful energy, which resembled not only the industry itself, but also the attitudes of those working within it.

Mark Walsh, Reed’s Group Exhibition Director stated: “The feeling on the show floor is most certainly one of optimism, underlining a sense of belief which characterizes the Middle East’s tourism as a whole. The region is still the world’s fastest growing market and has the infrastructure, vision and determination to maintain this growth”. In order to maintain this growth however, what was being promoted through comprehensive marketing campaigns was enhanced awareness of the current existing markets as opposed to entering new ones. This way the market does not have so much of a gambling feel to it”.

The exhibition also sought to extend its seminar program to heighten discussions in order to alter the cold trading conditions situation within the economic climate. What they hosted was 16 free-to-attend sessions, hosting over 25 industry leaders speaking during the first three days of the show. This was to encourage all in attendance to discuss what was presented in the forums and in hope that it would instigate further confidence within the industry.

The highlighted topics held at the seminar addressed issues such as maximizing business advantages in the expanding Middle East cruise lining industry, further invested interest in getaways such as luxury spas and the outlook upon the Gulf’s MICE industry and aviation.

Regarding the tourism itself within the U.A.E., there were speculations as to what statistics and comments would be released. Some encouraging words came from His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman, Dubai Airports, and Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline & Group said: “Travel and tourism demand in the UAE and the region remains strong. In fact, the Middle East is the only region which has seen an increase in air passenger traffic in March, when every other region saw a drop. Many of the countries in this region have invested massive resources to boost their travel and tourism infrastructure”.

“Increasingly, international hospitality and travel brands are looking to this region as the ‘bright spot’ in the global economic downturn, and are investing here. I am confident that Dubai, the UAE, and the region as a whole, is well placed to weather the current challenges and come out even stronger,” HH Sheikh Ahmed added.

Al Diar Siji is a five-star business class hotel. It is situated in the heart of its city and enjoys an ideal location in central Fujairah, a city in the northern Emirates. The general manager said that though there had been a decline in the arrivals from Europe, localized tourism had risen.

He said the hotel itself caters more for business travelers, and he mentioned the facility’s spectacular conferencing outlay as well as a high standard of other services, which have enhanced the hotel’s capabilities for the market segment.

This also reflected on what the exhibitors were echoing throughout the show, that catering ultimately for the market that is already available to a business is going to encourage it to fare much better than if attempting to market themselves aimlessly at new clientele.

Overall, the success of the Arabian Travel Market did not only prove as business expanding to some, it enabled everybody who attended to see that though the world is suffering in the slums of the financial crisis, the travel and tourism industry is extremely capable of prevailing and making serious revenue. The underlying factor that is set to exacerbate this hope is by businesses putting their logic and marketing skills into practical use and therefore they will benefit. When it comes to service and tactic, the message was obvious. Better service, better deals for the clients and travelling will then become not only easier to access, but if the experience they get is unforgettable, then they would be willing return and invest their holiday expenditure in these primary locations.

The event gives you the opportunity to for you to ideally unlock your business potential within the Middle East and pan Arab Region, which therefore teaches you how to:

Do business with the largest audience of travel meet the most qualified buyers face to face, build new ideas for the international face, increase your company Arabian Travel Market is more than just an exhibition. It also entails a marketing and PR campaign.

The Arabian Travel Market is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, and under the auspices of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, Government of Dubai.

For further information about participating at the trade show in 2010, you can visit the website www.arabiantravelmarket.com