Several leading names in the tourism industry have signed up for next year’s Gulf Incentive, Business Travel & Meetings Exhibition (GIBTM 2010), which will be held from March 29 to 31 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec), in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
They include the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), IHG, Jumeirah, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts, Qatar Tourism and Exhibitions Authority and Silversea Cruises.
Sean Mahoney, global vice president of corporate and incentive sales for Silversea Cruises said: “Silversea exhibits at GIBTM to find new business, strengthen partnerships and build brand awareness in the region. GIBTM represents a valuable opportunity for Silversea to meet with a variety of regional and international buyers in a professional environment. It would cost Silversea significantly more to engage the same number of qualified buyers personally.”
GIBTM’s exhibition director, Graeme Barnett said: “The meetings industry in the Gulf has an enormous potential from an inbound, interregional and outbound perspective. Silversea Cruises’ comments reflect the importance the industry places in GIBTM. It guarantees that the exhibitors meet and do business with the right buyers at the right time. This year we are planning to grow the show even further ensuring that GIBTM continues to provide a business conducive environment while addressing the education needs of meeting and incentives professionals of all levels.”
GIBTM 2010 will be at the centre of a week dedicated to the Gulf’s meetings and incentives industry organised in conjunction and with the support of industry key players.
The official independent ABC audit has confirmed that GIBTM 2009 attracted a total visitor attendance of 1,851. This makes GIBTM the largest ever gathering of meeting professionals in the Gulf. The audited figures highlight that visitor attendance increased by nearly 15 per cent on 2008; within this figure, hosted buyers attending increased more than five per cent on the previous year.