AS TOURISM professionals gear up for Arabian Travel Market (ATM), Fairmont Hotels & Resorts looks to a growth strategy that will bring five developments in the Middle East to the forefront – Riyadh, Muscat, Fujairah, Abu Dhabi and the eagerly anticipated Palm Jumeirah project in Dubai, UAE.
This 2011 edition of ATM will see Fairmont highlighting the breadth of its regional properties while showcasing more than 60 destinations worldwide.
Raki Phillips, area director of sales and marketing UAE, said: “This year, the stand for Fairmont Hotels & Resorts will illustrate creative sculptures for our visitors made out of book paper that detail the architectural feats of major Fairmont properties, to include the Makkah Clock Royal Tower, the Savoy in London and the Peace hotel in Shanghai.
“We will be encouraging guests to write their own chapter with Fairmont, with the chance to win a dream vacation of choice as well as the chance to interact with senior Fairmont management and learn more about more than 60 distinctive destinations worldwide and our initiatives in the regional and global tourism industry.”
Now on his fifth attendance at ATM Phillips believes the event is one of the best arenas for tourism industry professionals to congregate and conduct business.
Kent Cooper, vice president for regional hotel sales, Middle East and North Africa, added: “ATM plays a fundamental role in representing the thriving nature and confidence of the regional tourism industry, providing a meeting point for travellers and trade professionals both within and outside the GCC. At Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, we are delighted to be in a position where we can interact with new groups and reach new travellers. As we see our regional profile for the brand going from strength to strength, we maintain an ardent commitment to cultivating the brand’s foothold in the Middle East.”
A significant development of Fairmont’s growth strategy will the unveiling of Dubai’s second property in 2012 with the Fairmont Palm Jumeirah, a new luxury resort including 36,500 sq ft of meeting space, outdoor leisure facilities including a beach restaurant and a private beach club, a pool complex and children’s activity centre, as well as a variety of dining facilities featuring sea, garden or pool views and a Willow Stream spa.
The Fairmont team will be particularly highlighting the new property and Phillips added: “We are aiming to build on exposure for our destinations worldwide and further elevate our global portfolio to the Middle East consumer as well as highlighting our regional properties to the international market, focusing on the discerning traveller who is increasingly looking for individualised, unique offerings. In an era of personalisation, customisation and time constraints, travel professionals are indeed valuable and a great resource for travellers - they continue to be a key partner for us and our hotels.”