The inaugural Business Travel Show Dubai opened yesterday (October 29) in the UAE for the first time.

Managing director Calum Taylor and Dnata divisional senior vice-president Iain Andrew presided over a grand opening ceremony at the Madinat Jumeirah Arena.

The two-day exhibition showcases the finest business travel products and services from the world's leading travel suppliers. In addition, there is a two-day educational programme running alongside the exhibition, in partnership with The Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE), tailored for visitors who are keen to learn more about the benefits of establishing travel management policies for their organisations or to improve existing polices.

Being held under the patronage of chairman and CEO Emirates Airline & Group and the president, Dubai Department of Civil Aviation Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the Business Travel Show Dubai is the foremost event for everyone who buys or manages company travel or books business trips, or sources meeting venues.

Visitors attending the show will find out how the changing face of the travel industry will impact on the way they currently book or buy business travel.

At the opening ceremony, Sally Pugmire, event director, Centaur Exhibitions, said the Business Travel Show is an extremely significant event for the Middle East.

"The demands and preferences of international business travellers across several different geographical markets have undergone several changes. Pertinent issues that impact travel decisions include higher business and first class fares, an increasing use of the services of low-cost airlines, growth in the use of air taxis and business jets and the use of the Internet for booking business travel," she said.

The Business Travel Show Dubai is the region's only dedicated event for business travel; it offers a unique promotional & lead generating opportunity for companies involved in the Middle East's highly lucrative business travel sector.

Visitors at the show will have the opportunity to find out what's new, discover new cost and time saving approaches to booking and buying business travel and obtain independent professional advice from leading travel suppliers including  Alshamel, Dnata, Jumeirah, Emirates, British Airways, Etihad Airlines, Austrian Airlines, National Air Service, Virgin Atlantic, International Air Charter, Jebel Ali International, Cabot, Air France/ KLM, Hilton, Premier Travel Inn, FCM, Lufthansa, Accor, Intercontinental Hotels Group, Hertz, Chelsea Group, BCD Travel, Nuran LLC, Cathay Pacific, Rizon Jet FZC, Tourism Malaysia and many more.

Visitors can also get a chance to win a two-night stay at the luxury Dar Al Masyaf, Madinat Jumeirah or a flight to London Heathrow from Dubai on Virgin Atlantic's Upper Class.- TradeArabia News Service