Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2012, which concludes its four-day tourism expo today (May 3) in Dubai, saw a 10 per cent increase in visitor numbers due to its renewed B2B focus and positive outlook of the regional tourism sector, said organisers.

“The 2011 event attracted over 16,000 trade visitors and indicators for this year show an increase of between 7-10 per cent,” said Mark Walsh, portfolio director at organiser Reed Travel Exhibitions.

The region's leading trade exhibition for travel industry professionals, the 19th edition of the show has also seen a significant rise in decision makers and influencers – up by 35 per cent - from members of its buyers club, hosted delegates, regional and international speakers and hosted luxury travel buyers.

“The initial figures from this year’s show are an endorsement of not only Arabian Travel Market’s continued relevance and structured focus to the regional travel market, but mirror the rebound in both confidence and business levels across the major industry sectors,” said Walsh.

Independently ABC-audited, ATM 2012 also recorded a 7 per cent increase in exhibitors for this year’s event ahead of the start of the show, with more than 21,000 sq m of floor space hosting over 2,400 exhibitors and 82 new companies. This increase was also reflected in its international reach with 54 national pavilions and 87 countries represented overall.

“The business buzz is definitely back, the regional travel industry is in an exceptionally buoyant mood and participants are positive and confident. Our decision to reconfigure the floor plan to a more easily navigable and convenient format this year has also helped to facilitate busier appointment schedules,” said Walsh.

Walsh’s comments were echoed by a wide variety of participants, regional and international, inbound and outbound, right across the industry spectrum.

“This is my second year as a visitor and the new layout is definitely easier to navigate. Our focus was the expanding opportunities in apartment accommodation, and I was very impressed to find an entire section dedicated to this,” said Cori Terblanche, Travel World, South Africa.

“If we look solely at the European exhibitors for example, floor space has grown from last year and we have seen a surge in interest from destinations eager to attract the affluent Middle Eastern traveller,” added Walsh.

Tamara Khalil, group director marketing, Katara Hospitality, in Qatar, reinforced the renewed wave of business optimism.

“ATM was the right platform for us to launch our new corporate identity to the market. The show remains the prime vehicle for the regional industry to share its news, network with the key players and meet potential partners.”

This sentiment was echoed by global exhibitors. US-based tour operator, and first time exhibitor, TeamAmerica CEO, Enzo Perretta, said: “ATM is the only way to go to reach the Middle East and Asian markets, and we’ve had four full days during which we’ve met the key players and decision makers in our target markets.”

“ATM gives us access to high quality Middle Eastern contacts and allows us to conduct face-to-face business, which is highly valued by our regional clients,” added Ahmad Alkatib, director, Travellanda UK.

The newly introduced Technology Theatre, which ran throughout the four-day show, proved to be a major draw for industry professionals looking to capitalise on market opportunity through the implementation of groundbreaking technologies and new social media channels.

“Not only have we signed a number of new contracts on site, but we have also concluded a number of significant partnership agreements that would not have otherwise been possible,” said Osama Abdulrahman, manager of Dubai-based cheaperskies.com.

“Being host hotel for this year’s ATM gave us invaluable face time with hosted buyers as well as the opportunity to introduce targeted top international travel writers and key members of the regional media to our property,” added Andrew Hughes, director Sales & Marketing for the Mövenpick-managed Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel.

“Looking ahead to 2013, re-bookings are already extremely positive and we will continue to develop the show’s offering to reflect regional opportunities as well as global industry trends. Next year ATM will be 20 years old and we are certainly in celebratory mood already,” concluded Walsh.

Arabian Travel Market is held under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. Now approaching its 20th year, the show has grown to become the largest showcase of its kind in the region and one of the biggest in the world. – TradeArabia News Service