ATM gets bigger and busier

The 2015 Arabian Travel Market (ATM) marks the 22nd edition of the annual industry showcase and once again boasts a packed programme that will explore the broad spectrum of regional and international travel, according to the organisers.

'Family travel, technological innovations and the UNWTO (United Nations World Tourism Organization) tourism ministers’ forum are all highlights that will create a lot of discussion on the show floor,' the show’s exhibition manager Nadege Noblet tells TTN.

She continues: 'This year’s event will include an estimated 400 exhibitors and over 23,000 trade visitors. We’ve added another hall to accommodate in excess of 2,700 exhibitors who will be representing 86 countries with 70 country pavilions confirmed – all underscoring the phenomenal growth of the industry in this region.'

A total of 113 first-time exhibitors will make their ATM debut, with companies from around the world heading to the UAE, including Beverly Hills Tours & Transport from the US, Steigenberger Hotels AG from Germany and Ventura Holidays from India.

This year’s event includes ILTM@ATM, which matches luxury-focused exhibitors with Middle East Travel buyers looking to discover the best of the best experiences in luxury travel. The Atlantis, The Palm is the Official Luxury Host Hotel, hosting the ILTM buyer group. Other additions include the Travel Tech Show at ATM, the Captains of Industry lunch and, for the very first time, the ATM Best Stand Awards.

Following the success of last year’s inaugural spotlight theme, which was luxury travel, attention this year will turn to family travel, a key area of opportunity for the industry both in the region and globally, says Noblet.

After a one-year hiatus, ATM 2015 will play host to Ministers of Tourism from the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region at the UNWTO Ministerial Forum. They will be joined by industry leaders representing the different travel and hospitality sub-sectors with an agenda to discuss how to advance intra-regional tourism and seize the growing opportunities emerging for increased co-operation.

Popular annual features include the easy-to-follow exhibition trails covering family travel, budget travel, business travel, health and wellbeing, shopping, transportation, sports travel, cultural and heritage and adventure travel; and the high-profile New Frontiers Recovery Awards. The award recognises the efforts of those nations that have suffered devastating economic and human losses in the last 12 months, as a result of natural disasters; this year’s shortlist includes India, Nepal and Japan.

The Visa Exhibitor Showcase Theatre also returns to the heart of the action on the show floor for the second year running, at which exhibitors will be able to present their products and services at a 30-minute session with presentations from the likes of Sabre, Amadeus and Travelport.

Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice-president and prime minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, Arabian Travel Market takes place at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre from May 4 to 7.

For more information on the event log on to: www.arabiantravelmarket.com.

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Big numbers

400+ Exhibitors
23,000 Trade visitors
70 Country pavilions
113 First-time exhibitors 

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