Dubai, UAE. 6th May 2008: Reed Travel Exhibitions, the company behind Arabian Travel Market, the Middle East's premier travel and tourism event, has appointed Emaar Hospitality Group's recently launched 5-star premium brand, The Address Hotels & Resorts, as the host hotel group for the 2009 show.

As part of the initial one year contact, Emaar Hospitality Group's The Address Hotel & Resorts - which incorporates three properties: The Address, Downtown Burj Dubai; The Address, Dubai Mall; and The Address, Dubai Marina - will be the official accommodation provider for the show's Hosted Buyers programme, which includes specialists from the leisure and golf segment and meetings sector, and international press brought in for the show.

Speaking on the appointment, Simon Press, Exhibitor Director, Arabian Travel Market, said: "Over the years, Emaar has established itself as one of the most prominent and respected names here in the UAE. With the launch of its new signature hospitality offering, it was, for us, the natural choice to partner Arabian Travel Market as our host hotel.

"At the show, we are always looking for brands and companies that transcend the already high bar set by the Middle East's travel and tourism industry. We believe in The Address Hotels & Resorts we have found that partner."

Emaar Hospitality Group, the hospitality & leisure business subsidiary of Emaar Properties PJSC, plans to unveil The Address properties in key cities and tourist destinations in the Middle East and North Africa region, the Indian Subcontinent, Asia, Europe and America over the next ten years. The company believes its association with Arabian Travel Market will be an important facilitator in raising its awareness within the international community.

Marc Dardenne, Chief Executive Officer, Emaar Hospitality Group LLC, said: "Arabian Travel Market attracts a truly diverse range of key decision makers from across the globe. The host hotel support for the event by The Address Hotels & Resorts complements our efforts to strengthen and develop relationships with a wide spectrum of players here in our home market."

The Address, Downtown Burj Dubai faces the iconic Burj Dubai, the world's tallest building. As the second tallest building in Downtown Burj Dubai, the architecture of the 63-floor hotel is unique and breathtaking, enhancing the mood of the venue as a premier lifestyle destination. The Address, Downtown Burj Dubai is set to open in the last quarter of 2008.

The Address, Dubai Mall is a luxury 5-Star hotel linked to one of the world's largest shopping and entertainment destinations. It is strategically located to offer ease of access to many attractions within Downtown Burj Dubai and planned to open end-2008.

The Address, Dubai Marina, overlooks the world's largest man-made Marina and has a prime location in one of Dubai's most popular lifestyle districts, Dubai Marina. Dubai Marina Mall, linked to the hotel, offers 160 outlets. Dubai Marina Yacht Club, located less than 500 metres away, lends guests an alternative and original venue for dining, relaxing and sailing opportunities. The Address, Dubai Marina will open its doors towards the end of 2008. 

Arabian Travel Market opened yesterday (May 6th) with its largest ever exhibitor base of 2,208 participants from 70 countries - an eight percent increase on the 2007 edition. Floorspace bookings from international representatives in Asia, the Americas, Europe and Africa had grown by 10 percent, with Middle East companies increasing their allocation by five percent.

The 2008 show also launched with close to 90 new-to-market exhibitors, as well as increased space uptake from over 62 national tourist bodies with products and services representing 70 countries, including show debutants Bangladesh, The Philippines, Djibouti, Georgia, Senegal and Nepal.

"We have continued to develop the show year-on-year and we are now a truly international forum for the travel and tourism industry to conduct business here in the region," added Press.

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.

-Ends-

Arabian Travel Market was launched in 1994, and the 2007 event welcomed over 23,000 travel industry professionals from 108 countries to its 14th event. Arabian Travel Market 2008 will be held from May 6-9 at the DICEC.

The event's signature awards scheme, the New Frontiers Awards, will be staged for the third time in 2008. Presented to a destination that has made a remarkable recovery and positive contribution to tourism development in the face of the overwhelming adversity, the award, which is chosen by a panel of judges consisting of regional and international industry professionals, is one of the show's highlights.

Arabian Travel Market is part of the Reed Travel Exhibitions' portfolio, which includes 15 of the world's leading travel industry events. For more information visit www.reedtravelexhibitions.com

Reed Exhibitions, the world's largest organiser of exhibitions and conferences, brings together over 90,000 suppliers and more than 5.5 million buyers from around the world every year generating billions of dollars in business. Reed events are held in 38 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific and are organised by 33 fully staffed offices.

Reed's portfolio of over 460 events serves 52 industry sectors, working closely with professional bodies, trade associations and government departments Reed ensures that each and every event is targeted and relevant to industry needs. As a result, many Reed events are market leaders in their field.

Reed Exhibitions is part of Reed Elsevier, a FTSE 100 company, world-leading publisher and information provider, with revenues in excess of £4.8 billion (US$ 8.4 billion) (2004).

For further press information, please visit the Reed Exhibitions' website on www.reedexhibitions.com

About Emaar Hospitality Group LLC:
Emaar Hospitality Group LLC, the wholly owned subsidiary of Dubai-based global property developer Emaar Properties PJSC, manages the company's growing roster of hospitality and leisure projects. Emaar has expanded into hospitality and leisure in line with its Vision 2010 to become one of the most valuable companies in the world through a two-pronged approach of geographic expansion and business segmentation.

With total assets of development value US$1 billion (AED 3.67 billion), Emaar Hospitality owns and manages a diversified portfolio of hospitality assets such as hotels, serviced residences, golf resorts, Dubai Polo and Equestrian Club, recreation clubs, the Dubai Marina and associated yacht club.

Emaar Hospitality Group's vision is to be recognized as the premier global provider of personal, innovative and memorable lifestyle experiences. For more information on Emaar, please visit www.emaar.com.

For further information:
Sam Dulka,
MCS/Action,
Dubai,
UAE.
Tel: + 971 4 390 2960;
fax: +9714 390 8161.
Email: sam.d@actionprgroup.com

Or visit the show online at: www.arabiantravelmarket.com/pressreleases

© Press Release 2008