This year’s Arabian Travel Market is the most important in its 17 year history, according to its group exhibition manager Mark Walsh.
Speaking at a press conference in Dubai, which has hosted the market since its inception, he said while last year was focused on coping with the economic crisis the 2010 this year it was acting as a “barometer for the health of the industry” as the world economy starts to recover.
He added: “Despite the crisis, events such as this are seen as a vital component of marketing for countries and companies and they are continuing to invest.”
Walsh also revealed the seminar programme and debate sections had doubled in size this year to enhance the educational element of the show.
The Dubai Tourism and Commerce Marketing overseas promotions director Saleh Mohammed Al Geziry agreed with Walsh and revealed the Emirate had increased its stand size by almost a quarter reflecting greater investment in promoting itself.
He added: “In 2009 our vistor numbers were 7.58 million, which is up 1% on the year before – not many destinations reported an increase during these difficult times.”
He also pointed towards the Emirate’s Kid’s Go Free promotion this summer as a key growth driver this summer.
Emirates divisional senior vice president for worldwide commercial operations Richard Vaughan echoed the sentiments describing the show as an “opportunity to raise awareness of our new destinations and find building blocks for the future”.
New destinations promoting themselves at ATM this year include Fiji and Romania.