Dubai, United Arab Emirates. 23 February: Reed Travel Exhibitions, the company behind Arabian Travel Market - the Middle East's premier travel and tourism event running this May in Dubai, UAE - has announced that it will be increasing its seminar programme for 2009 to better facilitate high-level discussions on countering the harsh trading conditions incumbent in the current economic climate.
This year's seminar programme will include up to 16 free-to-attend sessions, with more than 25 industry leaders speaking over the show's first three trade-only days. The sessions will cover a wide range of key industry issues such as the rise of spa tourism, maximising business opportunities in the growing Middle East cruise industry; the outlook for the Gulf's MICE industry and the future of air travel in the Middle East. Registration for the seminar's can be made through the show's website www.arabiantravelmarket.com
"The current economic climate is generating some of the most severe operating conditions the travel & tourism industry has ever faced. We firmly believe that discussion, debate and examining solutions are going to be essential factors in the sector's recovery, and this needs to begin happening sooner rather than later," said Mark Walsh, Group Exhibition Director, Reed Travel Exhibitions.
"Based on demand, we have decided to enhance Arabian Travel Market's seminar programme for 2009. We have been in discussion with exhibitors, travel bodies, organisations and the media to develop a seminar programme and speaker line-up that tackles those issues most critical to our future success. As a free-of-charge initiative, I strongly advise our exhibitors and visitors to make the most out of these sessions."
Destination and company sign-up for the Arabian Travel Market 2009, which is running at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre from 5-8th May, is picking up pace, with organisers confirming that space bookings are up this year, over the same period last year.
To date, more than 400 exhibitors representing 62 countries have signed up for the show, with more than 30 exhibitors making their debuts. In addition, the exhibition has seen steady overall space uptake by nearly 60 national tourist bodies representing six continents, including new-to-market showings from Mozambique, Philippines, Ecuador and Slovenia.
Reed Travel Exhibitions recently confirmed that it would expand its Hosted Buyers programme to 150 top international, first time participants for 2009 - up from 120 last year - to foster greater business interaction.
In addition, its also announced that a host of other initiatives will take centre stage in 2009, including Careers Day - which will enable meetings between exhibitors and public with a keen interest in working within the industry or developing an existing career - and Travel Agents Day - which is designed to foster the latest top-class travel and tourism education among travel agents.
Arabian Travel Market 2009 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 DTCM.
Visitor registration for Arabian Travel Market 2009 can be done through the show's dedicated website on www.arabiantravelmarket.com/registertoday
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About Arabian Travel Market:
Arabian Travel Market was launched in 1994, and the 2008 event - which marked the show's 15th anniversary - opened with its largest ever exhibitor base of 2,229 participants from 70 countries.
In addition, 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 boasted 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.
The event's signature awards scheme, the New Frontiers Awards, will be staged for the fourth time in 2009. 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.
Reed Travel Exhibitions also appointed Emaar Hospitality Group's 5-star premium brand, The Address Hotels & Resorts, as the host hotel group for the 2009 show.
The Address Hotel & Resorts - which incorporates four properties: The Address, Downtown Burj Dubai; The Address, Dubai Mall; The Address, Dubai Marina and The Palace, The Old Town - is the official accommodation provider for Arabian Travel Market 2009's Hosted Buyers programme and attending international press.
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
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 2009
