India increases presence at Arabian Travel Market 2005

India will this May have its biggest ever Arabian Travel Market (ATM) presence and is planning to launch a series of new products at the show.

The move comes as India plans to further boost incoming tourism from the Middle East, as traffic from the region has been climbing gradually each year since 2003 with average annual growth rates of 10%, and a total of 126,000 arrivals being projected for 2005. 

India Tourism Dubai, the Mid East representative office of the country’s tourism industry, has committed to a 504 square metres pavilion, an increase of more than 20% compared to last year’s ATM. This year’s event is likely to be attended by Mrs Renuka Chowdhury, Minister of State for Tourism, Government of India.

“Our participation last year was extremely successful as we achieved substantial mileage with respect to the promotion of India as the destination for the new millennium,” said Prakash Jajoria, Regional Director, of Dubai India Tourism. 

“The Middle East is of strategic importance for the growth of India’s tourism, which currently accounts for 2% of the country’s GDP.”

At the ATM 2005, India Tourism will launch a host of new holiday packages targeting the region’s budding golfing community and honeymooners. Special adventure holiday packages will also make their debut.

“We are hoping to meet with visitors from the hospitality and airline sectors, as well as with travel agents, tour operators and corporate travel buyers and the general public,” he said.

Apart from India’s many travel and tourism industry players which will be hosted at the India Tourism pavilion, the country’s representation will see a number of stand alone participants, including the flag carrier and some major hotel chains.

Indian Airlines and Air Sahara will be accompanied by Taj Group of Hotels, The Bird Group, The Grand Group, the Imperia and the Kumarakom Lake Resort, in its ATM debut. The combined exhibition space occupied by these companies is 122 square metres.

“India is a major contributor to ATM’s global appeal as it keeps expanding its presence every year and constantly introduces new products, services and destinations,” said Chris Chackal, Group Exhibitions Director, Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE), organiser of the ATM.

“Middle East residents are extremely discerning and destinations competing for a slice of this lucrative market need to continuously reinvent themselves in order to maintain their competitiveness.”

Floor space now totals 15,732 sqm, the biggest in the event’s history. 

Currently, exhibitors from 61 countries, including 52 national tourist boards have confirmed their participation for the ATM 2005, which runs from May 3-6 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

“Of these, at least 85 exhibitors will make their ATM debut introducing fresh products and services into the Middle East and further raising the number of new business opportunities for the show’s visitors,” said Chackal. 

This year, entry fees from the ATM’s public session will be donated to the ‘Just A Drop’ charity to provide fresh water to communities ravaged by the December tsunami in Asia.

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