Northstar Travel Media to unveil Middle East expansion at Arabian Travel Market 2003

The UK's Northstar Travel Media is planning to establish a Middle East office in July this year.

The company's physical entry into region is to be unveiled at Arabian Travel Market, the Middle East's premier travel and tourism exhibition, which will be held in Dubai in May.

"The Middle East has been generating a substantial portion of our revenue, hence the discussion to get closer to the market and its fast developing hospitality industry," said Dessi Seth of Northstar.

"Arabian Travel Market 2002 was very good for us," said Seth. "We signed US $90,000 worth of new business and new contracts with existing customers."

Northstar is among 16 British companies scheduled to individually participate at Arabian Travel Market 2003, which will be held at the Airport Expo Dubai from May 6-9.

Many more UK companies will also be housed in a 150 square metre pavilion being mounted by the British Tourist Authority.

"Northstar's experience mirrors a number of occasions when Arabian Travel Market has helped bring a new player to the Middle East market," said Matt Thompson, Group Exhibition Director, Overseas Events, Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE), which organises Arabian Travel Market.

"The results the company achieved at last year's show is yet another example of how Arabian Travel Market can genuinely improve exhibitors' bottom-lines."

To date, companies from 55 countries have contracted to take part in Arabian Travel Market 2003, which this year is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the highly successful annual series. So far, the show is 5% square metres larger than last year's record-breaking event.

This year Arabian Travel Market will feature its first national pavilions from Saudi Arabia and Canada and welcome the return of an Ugandan pavilion after a break of seven years.