Dubai increases participation at ITB 2003

The Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing's (DTCM) participation at this years ITB which starts tomorrow 7 March, comprises of 82 co-participants, and an increase in booth size from 330sqm last year to 400sqm this year.

DTCM Director Operation and Marketing, Mohammed Khamis bin Hareb said that "participating in ITB help us to make new contacts and renew the old ones, which further boost the Dubai's tourism industry and will also strengthen tourism links and bilateral business between the emirate and Germany. ITB is the world's leading international forum for the tourism sector and Dubai with its wide array of hotels, conference, convention and exhibition facilities, as well as excellent new developments and activities is well positioned to meet the needs of this important sector", said Mr. bin Hareb.

He stated that exhibitors at the ITB Berlin come from all sectors of the international tourism industry. "They include national and regional tourism organizations, tourism offices, tour operators, travel agencies, carriers, hotels, communication and information systems, publishing companies, and international tourism federations," detailed Mr. bin Hareb.

Speaking about the number of hotel establishment guests visiting the emirate, DTCM manager Overseas Promotions, Ibrahim Ahli said: "The year 2002 registered a growth of 15.19 percent as their number increased to 171,142 in 2001, which in 2001 was 148,570".

In 2002 the ITB was spread out over 150,000 sqm which represents a net area of 78,409 sqm, and hosted a total 9,682 exhibitors from 178 countries.