REED Travel Exhibitions (RTE), organiser of the Arabian Travel Market (ATM), the Middle East’s premier travel and tourism event, has introduced key changes to the 2008 show format in response to exhibitor feedback.
The four-day event, which marks its 15th – or Crystal Anniversary - next year, will now be trade-only on the first three days when it runs at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC) from May 6 – 9.
ATM 2008 will be open to general public on the last day and will feature many exciting competitions and promotions making it more even more attractive.
Show timings have been altered, with the event scheduled to open at 11am and close at 7 pm on the first three days so as to avoid peak Dubai traffic hours, as well as make it convenient for travel trade professionals to attend.
On May 9, the show will open at 4pm and close at 9pm.
“Working to ensure exhibitor and visitor satisfaction is of the utmost importance for us,” said Simon Press, ATM exhibition director. “At the end of each event, we conduct extensive contact programmes to gauge feedback from industry players.
“Post-show research has revealed that ATM has received very high satisfaction levels from both exhibitors and visitors. Revised timings will allow trade professionals more time to conduct business and network with exhibitors as well as buyers.”
The event’s 2008 showing will see an improved floorplan with hotel, travel and technology companies being flanked by Europe on one side and the UAE and the Middle East, on the other side followed by North Africa, Africa, the Americas and Asia.
“Following ATM 2007, we wanted to improve the visitor footprint throughout the show. For the 2008 event, we have decided to give Europe a main entrance and sandwich the hotels, car rental and technology area between the Middle East and Europe halls. By taking this action, the flow from Middle East through to Europe will be time effective for both visitors and exhibitors alike,” added Press.
“We have also grouped the United Arab Emirates with the rest of the Middle East and North Africa so all the tourism products from the region are in one area, which will help visitors locate them easily.”
The hosted buyer session will take place on the first day of the event prior to the official opening. This gives exhibitors the opportunity to book key meetings with VIP buyers at the beginning of the ATM week and these key buyers more time to conduct business at the event.
During ATM 2008, visitors will be able to benefit from the increased travel and leisure products and enhanced content – including a seminar programme that will be delivered by top industry leaders and global tourism experts.
“We anticipate major growth from the hospitality sector, from Africa as well as from the travel technology products and services section we introduced at last year’s event. We will also be adding more exciting features and look forward to announcing them soon,” concluded Press.