Arabian Travel Market 2004 smashes 1,000 Exhibitor Barrier

The Arabian Travel Market, the Middle East’s premier travel and tourism event which gets underway in Dubai next month, has now contracted over 1,000 exhibitors – the largest number ever in the event’s 11-year history.

This year’s show, to be held at the Dubai World Trade Centre from May 4-7, is 25% bigger than last year and will feature exhibitors from 55 countries, including first time official participation from Iran and Abu Dhabi.

“This excellent response from both the local, regional and international industry is a key indicator of the bullish attitude the global trade is now adopting following last year’s crises of Iraq and SARS,” said Matt Thompson, Group Exhibitions Director, Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE), which organises Arabian Travel Market.

“What is even more pleasing is the widening of the exhibitor portfolio which this year includes extensive representation from hotels, airlines, adventure tour operators, well being clinics, spas, golf resorts, ferry companies and island hideaways. Many companies are new to the market and the business opportunities on offer look like being more expansive than ever.”

The Arabian Travel Market is now the fastest-growing show in RTE’s extensive portfolio and the company’s second largest event after the annual World Travel Market.

“Growth is not just on the exhibitor side, visitor predictions look very healthy with pre-registrations up 31.8% on the same period last year. Again, a particularly heartening factor is that at least half the pre-registrations are coming from people planning to visit the show for the first time.”