Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2014, the region’s leading travel industry showcase, will open in Dubai tomorrow (May 5) with the show being the largest travel trade gathering in Middle East.

The annual tourism and hospitality showcase, held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, is set to break all previous records with over 2,700 exhibitors; 68 national pavilions; 40 seminar and technology theatre sessions and over 21,000 trade visitors expected.

Now in its 21st year, the 2014 edition is a complete sell out, with 25,000 sq m - including one extra hall – of floor space being utilised, making it the largest travel trade exhibitor event to be held in the Middle East, a spokesman said.
 
Taking place at the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre until May 8, the show has grown by 8 per cent since 2013 and will welcome exhibitors from 83 countries.

Tourism professionals including exhibitors and visitors from 157 countries will be in attendance. “It’s been a year of growth not only for the tourism and hospitality industry in the region, but for ATM; and this year’s showcase will see more than 120 new exhibitors make their ATM debut plus the launch of several exciting new initiatives created especially to expand on key industry trends impacting business in the region today,” said Mark Walsh, portfolio director, Reed Travel Exhibitions.

“The diversity of our exhibitors is also something to highlight and we have seen significant growth in the various industry verticals with car rental company presence up by 58 per cent, travel tech by 22pc, 103pc growth in the cruise pavilion and fresh demand for medical tourism representation, which we welcome back this week with a dedicated 70-sq m space,” he added.

ATM’s popular seminar and tech theatre series, which will offer wide-ranging topics covering aviation, mobile trends and the rising demand for wellness tourism, will kick off with a high profile panel session on "Delivering the Tourism Vision for 2020 and How Dubai is Marketed to the World".

The expert line-up includes Helal Almarri, director general, Dubai’s Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing (DTCM); Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO, flydubai; Thierry Antinori, EVP & chief commercial officer, Emirates airline; and Neal Jones, chief sales & marketing officer, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International.

New features and services for ATM 2014 include the launch of the first specialised annual theme, with a ‘Spotlight on Luxury’ focus encompassing several luxury-specific seminars, hosted buyers representing this valuable market segment and high-end exhibitors including well-known hospitality brands and premium destinations.

The ATM Hosted Buyers Programme is another key feature for exhibitors looking to connect with global buyers with 115 confirmed buyers representing the luxury, cruise, medical and wider leisure markets.

Reed Travel Exhibitions will also unveil the new ATM Exhibitor Showcase Theatre, which is located in the middle of the show floor; the ATM Live Wall, which will broadcast live streaming of interviews, panel debates and other show highlights; plus the results of the Visa Affluence Report. - TradeArabia News Service