Spanish Hotels aim to benefit from Middle East market through ATM

Spanish hotels will have a strong showing at the Arabian Travel Market 2004 (ATM), the leading travel and tourism show in the Middle East, which runs from May 4 – 7 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

Tenerife Select, the organisation which represents the top 13 hotels on Spain’s most popular Atlantic island, is coming to the show for the first time with a multi media presentation on the variety of sports, festivals and entertainment available on holidays to the island.

Tina Sonck, Tenerife Select Marketing Officer, said: “Business from the Middle East is very small at present so we are launching Tenerife in the region as an exclusive multi product destination.

“Only the very best hotels in Tenerife are allowed to come under the Tenerife Select brand which is an integral part of the Sociedad de Promocion Exterior de Tenerife.”

During the show the organisation will be offering visitors to its stand the chance to win a seven day trip to the island with accommodation in one of its luxury hotels.

The Hotel Rey Juan Carlos in Barcelona will be using ATM to promote the 141 day long Forum 2004 festival in the city and the facilities available at the Royal Complex.

Bill Fontgivell, Assistant General Manager, said: “Forum 2004 is a festive journey designed to focus on the three main themes in life; cultural diversity, sustainable development and conditions for peace.”

The Royal Complex is located on Barcelona’s main avenue, the Diagonal, which includes the Rey Juan Carlos Hotel, the Catalonia Palace of Congresses, the Royal Fitness Centre and the Tati Boite restaurant.

Matt Thompson, Group Exhibition Director, Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE), which organises ATM, said: “A total of 19 European hotel groups have signed up for ATM reflecting the growing importance of the outbound Middle East market to the European travel and tourism industry.”

To date, more than 1,200 exhibitors from 55 countries have signed on for ATM 2004 which is already bigger in floor space by 25 per cent on last year’s event.