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ATM revamp focuses on visitor

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REED Travel Exhibitions (RTE), which organises the Arabian Travel Market, the Middle East’s premier travel and tourism trade show, has introduced a series of initiatives to ensure the event ‘remains relevant’ in the face of a changing global and regional industry landscape.

The show is expected to be 10 per cent bigger than this year and will welcome new countries such as Bangaldesh and Zimbabwe.
The floor plan for the 2007 show, which will run at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC) from May 1-4, has been revised to deliver a more even visitor footprint throughout the exhibition’s halls, Chris Chackal, group exhibitions director, Overseas Events, RTE, told press in London recently. “After carefully collating and listening to both exhibitor and visitor feedback we have decided to have the international arenas at the core of the show with the GCC and UAE arenas flanking them.”
The show will also introduce a dedicated pavilion for tourism developments but will restrict participation to projects that are specifically related to the travel and tourism industry. “Emerging tourism developments are integral to the show and reflect rising demand and the industry’s seemingly endless need for new destinations. Visitors have told us that it is important for them to be updated on the latest developments so that they can better plan their business requirements,” he said.
Outlining a revised focus for the 2007 show, Chackal said the exhibition would demonstrate particular emphasis on new products, services and destinations. “We will be working very closely with pavilion organizers to assist them in recruiting new-to-market sharers for their stands and creating fresh business opportunities for visitors.”
An exhibitor workshop to assist participants with limited budgets will also be held.
Other initiatives being introduced for ATM 2007 include an enhanced media centre, working closely with the DICEC on ways of alleviating parking congestion (including with the building of a new 750-space multi-storey car park), partnering ATM ground handler Net Tours on improving hotel-venue transfers for international visitors, an improved industry seminar programme and increased Hosted Buyer Programme, which will attract some 150 key buyers, including 60 per cent from around the region.
The improved seminar programme will focus on more high-profile speakers with added value in terms of content, said Lucie Dawkins, RTE marketing manager for the ATM.

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