The world on show in Dubai

ATM organisers aim to provide more than a space venture with seminars, hosted buyers, a travel agent initiative, 2000-plus exhibitors and a user-friendly floor plan.

With 40 tourist bodies representing 60 countries, Arabian Travel Market (ATM) again offers an opportunity for the region's travel sector to meet with its counterparts from around the globe, according to show director, Simon Press.

"We can comfortably say we are looking at more than 2000 exhibitors in another sell-out show," he said, adding that efforts have been made to work with main stand holders to encourage smaller exhibitors to take space with them.

"For 2008 we are keeping the show floorspace similar to that of 2007 and our main focus for this crystal-anniversary year is to develop content and the industry-specific net-worth we deliver, as well as these stand sharing opportunities."

He encourages both exhibitors and visitors alike to make use of the ATM website to familiarise themselves with resources available online.

"We have continuously sought out - from market research, new trend pick-up and feedback from ATM participants - various ways to bolster the entire show experience and to instigate a content rich information platform for the global industry," he said.

"As such, we have strived to make the event a 12-month initiative that is not limited to the show's four days - we want exhibitors and visitors to be involved all year round."

The world's honeymoon shows no sign of waning, with interest from all five continents, said Press, while all countries in the GCC and wider Middle East are represented at ATM for the first time.

"We are very optimistic about increasing visitors numbers (registered at 23,000-plus last year) with the number of pre-registered attendees up on this time last year," he confirmed.

On the exhibitor side, Press said while ATM would again run to capacity, there were some 30 new exhibitors including first time showings from Bangladesh, Croatia, Djibouti and Nepal, while there was increased participation from emerging markets such as the Americas and China, driven by the surge in air links from these countries to the Middle East.

A much-anticipated revised floorplan has been devised to balance visitor flows between the ever-popular Middle East exhibitors and the less frequented international stands.

"For 2008, we have joined the UAE and GCC exhibitors with the wider Middle East, and we have also moved the European exhibitors nearer the main entrance, which has its own concourse," said Press.

He added that hotels, car rental and technology areas would be sandwiched between the Middle East and Europe halls at this year's show.

"This means that there are many more European stands with front-row standing - we believe this is the optimum floorplan arrangement, although post-show research will be an important factor in determining the success of the plan going forward."

Hosted buyers

Prior to ATM's official opening on May 6 there will be an appointment setting session in the Al Mutaqua Ballroom at DICEC where exhibitors can meet with the 125 international and regional hosted buyers and set up appointments to talk business during the show.

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