Bahrain-based Sabre Travel Network Middle East, a global technology company serving travel suppliers and agencies, is sponsoring the new Technology Seminar Theatre at the upcoming Arabian Travel Market (ATM) expo in Dubai.

'We are one of the largest travel technology companies in the world, and the ATM is the top travel industry event in the region,' said Sabre chief executive Daniel Naoumovitch.

'Our sponsorship highlights the natural partnership and affinity we share for all things travel,' he remarked.

'Travel plays an important role in promoting business, friendship between nations and common welfare around the world, and technology is what drives travel,' said Naoumovitch.

'Sabre connects the consumer to the travel management company (TMC), the TMC to the airline, hotel and car rental company, the airline and hotel with its customers and a whole lot of connections in between. It's one of the travel industry's largest marketplaces with more than $100 billion of travel purchased through it every year,' he added.

'With 2011 behind us, everyone in the region is looking forward to some positive movement in 2012, and I expect this year's ATM to get a dose of optimism from the industry,' he added.

'Last year, in spite of the socio-political situation in region, we enjoyed double-digit growth. Our offices in Jordan, Kuwait, Oman and Saudi Arabia showed solid growth in their markets throughout the year.'

Event organiser Reed Travel Exhibitions portfolio director Mark Walsh said technological development is undoubtedly having a major impact on the global tourism industry and the region's travel community is no exception.

'Embracing and implementing the next generation technologies will be one of the critical issues discussed at the ATM 2012.

'To accommodate these broadening technological trends, we have expanded our seminar programme to introduce a series of new technology seminars, sponsored by Sabre which will examine the massive shift towards online travel bookings and the resulting consequences.'

Sabre operates 21 offices in 11 countries across the Middle East and North Africa region and is the only global distribution system provider with a head office in the region.

ATM will be held at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre from April 30 to May 3.-TradeArabia News Service