As the Gulf Incentive, Business Travel and Meetings exhibition (GIBTM) opened its doors this year, the largest annual gathering of meetings professionals in the Gulf was in the mood to do business. Graeme Barnett, GIBTM exhibition director, reported this year’s event attracted 277 senior level hosted buyers from 40 countries – up 19 per cent on 2009 – and organised more than 7,500 pre-scheduled appointments, up an impressive 17 per cent on last year.
Reflecting the regional and international expansion of the show, exhibitors represent all aspects of the meetings industry from destinations, convention centres, hotel groups and airlines to cruise companies, DMCs and technology suppliers.
More than 220 exhibitors attended with new participants representing five countries including Cape Winelands District Municipality, Dragonfly Africa, Turkish Culture and Information Office, Beijing Tourism Administration and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Indonesia. Those increasing their stand space from last year included Seoul Tourism Organisation, Sri Lanka, Jumeirah and Tourism Ireland.
More than 80 regional and 195 international hosted buyers used their time at GIBTM to learn about what’s new and happening within the industry from both an inbound and outbound business perspective.
Regional exhibitors were represented by, amongst others, Qatar Tourism Authority, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, Oman Ministry of Tourism, Government of Dubai, Egypt Tourist Authority and international countries represented included Argentina, Malaysia, England, China, the Netherlands and Cyprus.
Commenting on the figures Barnett said: “Having attracted the largest ever group of international hosted buyers to the region, and with pre-scheduled appointment numbers significantly up on last year, it is clear that meeting and event planners are eager to explore what the region has to offer for their businesses and their clients.
“In just four years, GIBTM has firmly established itself as the region’s premier event for the meetings industry. Through a dedicated Gulf Meetings Industry Week, working closely with key industry players and associations, it has become the driving force in shaping the future of the meetings industry in the region.”
New initiatives at this year’s event included an expanded professional education programme, supported by leading international industry associations MPI, ICCA and SITE, and for the first time the programme was divided into three themed days – Event Planning, Industry Research and Industry Trends.
This year’s edition of the Middle East Meetings Industry Research Report provided valuable insights into the developing meetings industry across the Gulf and wider Middle East region. The report predicts significant growth potential, with increased numbers of events using a wider range of destinations.
Report at-a-glance summary:
Buyers
• 458 buyer respondents from 57 countries – highest number of respondents since survey began in 2007
• 58 per cent held events in the Gulf/ME over the last 12 months – primarily incentive travel and meetings
• Mean number of events in region per buyer respondent is 4.6 (down from 5.7 last year but up from four in 2008)
• Mean number of delegates 204 (up from 154 last year and 143 the year before)
• Mean budgets for events in ME $495,400 (down slightly from $505,000)
• 26 different destinations used throughout the region remain dominated by Dubai. Egypt, Abu Dhabi, Morocco, Jordan, Qatar and Oman all attracting significant numbers of events
• 35 per cent said budgets for events in the region in 2010 have increased – 47 per cent said they have stayed the same
• 50 per cent of buyers predict they will organise more events in 2010 – 35 per cent said they will organise the same amount
• 55 per cent anticipate selecting new destinations this year
• Abu Dhabi predicted to increase number of events held this year
• Cost is the most important influencing factor when placing events.
Suppliers
• Experienced lower levels of events business in the region in 2009
• Average percentage of business in the region was 12 per cent (down from 28 per cent last year)
• Mean value of suppliers’ business in the region was $966,000 (down from $1,030,250)
• 55 per cent predicting increased number of events in 2010
• 87 per cent looking to develop more business in the region
• 58 per cent think the region has the most growth potential in the world.
Sally Greenhill, managing director The Right Solution Limited, which compiled and independently analysed the report, concluded: “We have had a very positive response to the survey with 458 buyer respondents contributing this year. Clearly 2009 saw a downturn in the region, however it was lower than that experienced in Europe and elsewhere. According to the predictions made by buyers, this year will see the region bounce back with increased numbers of events using a wider range of destinations. Overall, suppliers predict that the region has significant growth potential.”