ATM 2012 ends; scores 10% more visitors

Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2012, which concluded its four-day tourism expo on 3 May in Dubai, saw a 10 per cent increase in visitor numbers due to its renewed B2B focus and positive outlook of the regional tourism sector, said organisers.

“The 2011 event attracted over 16,000 trade visitors and indicators for this year show an increase of between 7-10 per cent,” said organiser Reed Travel Exhibitions Portfolio Director Mark Walsh.

The region’s leading trade exhibition for travel industry professionals, the 19th edition of the show has also seen a significant rise in decision makers and influencers – up by 35 per cent – from members of its buyers club, hosted delegates, regional and international speakers and hosted luxury travel buyers.

“The initial figures from this year’s show are an endorsement of not only Arabian Travel Market’s continued relevance and structured focus to the regional travel market, but mirror the rebound in both confidence and business levels across the major industry sectors,” said Walsh.

Independently ABC-audited, ATM 2012 also recorded a seven per cent increase in exhibitors for this year’s event ahead of the start of the show, with more than 21,000 sq m of floor space hosting over 2,400 exhibitors and 82 new companies. This increase was also reflected in its international reach with 54 national pavilions and 87 countries represented overall.

“The business buzz is definitely back, the regional travel industry is in an exceptionally buoyant mood and participants are positive and confident. Our decision to reconfigure the floor plan to a more easily navigable and convenient format this year has also helped to facilitate busier appointment schedules,” said Walsh.

“Looking ahead to 2013, re-bookings are already extremely positive and we will continue to develop the show’s offering to reflect regional opportunities as well as global industry trends. Next year ATM will be 20 years old and we are certainly in celebratory mood already,” concluded Walsh.  Arabian Travel Market is held under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. Now approaching its 20th year, the show has grown to become the largest showcase of its kind in the region and one of the biggest in the world.