DUBAI: Despite global economic insecurity contributing to a slight drop in exhibitor numbers over 2008 figures, this year's Arabian Travel Market (ATM) will be one of the largest one in its 16-year history, says Reed Travel Exhibitions, organizers of the show.
The event, which opens today and runs through Friday, at the Dubai International Exhibition & Convention Center, has confirmed steady overall space uptake by nearly 60 national tourist bodies representing six continents, including new-to-market showings from the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Romania and Nigeria as well representation from the private sector in Ecuador, Slovenia and San Marino.
There are 2,100 exhibitors and stand-sharers from 69 countries, including 70 new-to-market representatives. Strong showings from Middle East and North African countries, representing more than 850 exhibitors, also see Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman and Syria bringing larger tourism contingents than last year.
Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) has been participating in the event with an increased space uptake. Abu Dhabi (which has the largest stand this year) Hong Kong, Thailand, Greece, Cyprus, Italy, Iran, Mauritius and Kenya have booked more space than last year.
"Arabian Travel Market has seen phenomenal growth over the last five years, up from 12,500 m of space contracted in 2004 to 24,000 m in 2008, which is a clear reflection of the Middle East's own meteoric development.
"However, much like the region and indeed the rest of the world, we have seen a slight correction in 2009," Mark Walsh, group exhibitions director, Reed Travel Exhibitions, told journalists at a press conference yesterday.
"And, whilst we have seen marginal declines in exhibitor numbers and floor-space, we have received only a few actual cancellations," he added,
Emirates airline, the event's official carrier, reinforced Arabian Travel Market's significance in promoting the region's tourism offering and highlighted the need for the industry to actively seek growth opportunities during this challenging time.
"Now, more than ever, travel and tourism operators need to invest in and capitalize on these types of exhibitions putting in place building blocks for future development," said Ahmed Khoory, Emirates' senior vice president, commercial operations, Gulf, Middle East and Iran.
Showcasing some of the Emirates Group's exciting new developments will be luxury Al-Maha Desert Resort & Spa which is celebrating its tenth anniversary. The stand will also feature Emirates' second conservation-based resort, Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa which is scheduled for soft opening this October in Australia's Blue Mountains.
Meanwhile, in a separate press conference that was held at Emirates Tower Hotel in Dubai yesterday, Ab Ghaffar A Tambi, deputy secretary general of Malaysia's Ministry of Tourism, said that his country recorded 22.05 million visitors last year with a 5.1 percent growth compared to the previous year (2008)
"The Malaysian tourism industry remains robust based on the buoyant tourist arrivals that Malaysia enjoyed from January to February 2009 which registered a total of 3.48 million arrivals. During that period, tourist arrivals from West Asia stood at 37,639 visitors," he added.
Malaysia's Deputy Minister of Tourism Sulaiman Abdul Rahman Taib is leading his country's delegation to the ATM. The delegation is made up of 136 participants from 84 organizations, both from the government and private sectors while the delegation breakdown consists of 55 hotels, 23 tour operators, 4 state governments, the KL Tower and Malaysian Airlines.
This year, Malaysia is focusing on the niche products, such as Home Stay, Ecotourism, Malaysia My second Home, Medical and Health tourism, Spa and Wellness.
To attract more visitors, tourism board has launched Colors of Malaysia 2009 Festival with a theme - "Malaysia Welcomes the World". The festival, which will run through Dec. 31, 2009, is to highlight and promote the rich cultural influences and heritage of the country through music, songs, and dance.
"There is a flurry of activities throughout the country, as well as marvelous food fiestas. There has a chance to sample mouth-watering delights such as Lemang Periuk Kera dan Opor Daging (Pahang), Kek Lapis (Sarawak), Nasi Kerabu (Kelantan), Nasi Dagang (Terengganu) and much more," said a top official at Tourism Malaysia.
The visitors can also enjoy unique cultural performances such as Kuda Kepang (Johor), Ulek Mayang (Terengganu), and Mak Yong (Kelantan). These are some of Malaysia's rich cultural influences, reflected in Malaysia's multicultural society, he added.
