ABU DHABI is ready to host the GIBTM event, which is using more than15 per cent more space at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) than last year.
A 20 per cent rise in visitor pre-registrations is a clear indication of the meetings industry looking for new opportunities in an era of economic challenges, according to the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) which supports the show.
ADTA chairman, HE Sultan Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, said GIBTM would serve as a catalyst to new business generation.
“Global business tourism, having witnessed a period of unparalleled growth over the last decade, is not immune to the rough economic seas that confront all of us. However, with every crisis comes new opportunities. The imminent task ahead for all involved in the global travel and tourism business is to remain united in our collective vision of forging fresh industry frontiers and charting new growth.”
“Industry revitalisation and innovation can happen, even in such tough times, by stakeholders delivering demonstrable value-for-money products and propositions which make business tourism planners and end-users alike sit up and take notice as perhaps never before,” he said.
“We and our partners will spare no effort in ensuring this exhibition plays an important role in enabling new business tourism flows, in catalyzing product innovation and ensuring the long-term sustainability of one of the most resilient segments of the global tourism mix,” said Al Nahyan. New exhibitors include Gulf Air, Hilton International, Costa del Sol and Movenpick.
