Exhibitors from the Middle East filled the space in two large halls of Messe Berlin at ITB 2007, with a total of 38 stands hosted by Arabian countries.
• Dubai boasted the biggest stand in Hall 22, with an independent Emirates Airlines pavilion next door.
• Abu Dhabi, Fujairah, Ras al Khaimah and Sharjah also erected their own pavilions and the latter was awarded Best Pavilion in the Middle Eastern halls by ITB organisers.
• It was encouraging to see lesser-known tourism destinations represented, with delegations from Yemen, Libya, Syria and a last-minute addition, Palestine’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.
• Iran had an enormous pavilion taking up around one quarter of Hall 23, while private Iranian carrier Mahan Air had its own independent stand.
• Lebanon had a surprisingly small presence, with one small stand hosted by Middle Eastern Airlines and another for several Lebanese tourism operators and hotels, but it was still twice the size of last year’s display.
• Although Iraqi carriers Iraqi Airways and Air Iraq are set to launch flights to destinations in the US and Europe, there was no representation from either company at the exhibition.
ITB’s senior manager David Ruetz said Dubai, Sharjah, Oman and Tunisia commanded a particularly significant presence at ITB, and that Dubai-based carrier, Emirates Airlines, as well as the United Arab Emirates “received great attention”.
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