The Arabian Travel Market 2014 focusing on high quality tourism

DUBAI – Opened on May 5th, the Arabian Travel Market 2014 was the largest ever travel trade gathering in the Middle East, with exhibition space reaching 24,641 m2 -including one additional hall (8% increase over 2013). It attracted more than 21,000 trade visitors from around the world. 
 

 

Official Media Briefing 4 May 2014 Oberoi Hotels
 

The show organized by Reed Travel Exhibitions was held under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and  Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai.

ATM 2014 showed a strong participation from Asia and independent exhibitors including urban destinations such as Hong Kong, Ho Chi Minh City or Macau, countries such as Korea, Kazakhstan, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand or Malaysia among others. The largest representation from Asia came from the Indian subcontinent, with India leading in terms of participants (India, Jammu and Kashmir as well as Karnataka Tourism Boards) but also representatives from Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Nepal.  
 

 

SriLanka stand
 

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) was particularly dynamic at the ATM, working in coordination with the Gulf big three airlines. As of the summer schedule 2014, there are 98 scheduled flights per week between Thailand (Bangkok and Phuket) and Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha. This comprises Emirates (35 flights), Qatar Airways (35 flights), and Etihad Airways (28 flights). 
 

TAT Governor Thawatchai Arunyik and a team of senior executives held high level meetings with top executives of Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways to maintain a steady flow of visitor arrivals from some of highest-spending source  markets in the Arabian Gulf States. Mr. Tanes Petsuwan, Executive Director of the Europe, Africa and Middle East Region, explained that “TAT officials had been told by Gulf airlines that they would maintain this capacity in spite of the current political situation. Our main focus of attention at the Arabian Travel Market was to help the travel trade better understand the reality on the ground and stress the fact that the overwhelming vast majority of Thailand, including tourism attractions and transportation facilities, are open for business and operating normally”. 
 

 

Thailand stand
 

He highlighted that the main problem faced by the Thai tourism industry was the continuing travel advisories issued by various governments. To combat this perception, Mr. Tanes said TAT and the Gulf airlines had agreed to undertake a series of familiarisation trips for media and travel agency representatives from Gulf countries. These trips will be operated over the rest of the year with each airline bringing in one group every quarter.
 

“Our main focus continues to be on the niche markets; such as, health and wellness, weddings and honeymoons. Gulf visitors are among the highest spenders per capita with an above average length of stay”, he added.  
 

 

From left to right: Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz Tourism Minister of Malaysia and Azizan Noordin Deputy Director General Tourism Malaysia
 

Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board participated the ATM with a pomp and show to highlight Visit Malaysia Year 2014. “This high number of exhibitors visitors and buyers visiting the Malaysian booth during the ATM made a positive impact in marketing Visit Malaysia Year. We are expecting a huge number of tourists from the UAE, while expecting 350,000 visitors to Malaysia from West Asia”, said Azizan Noordin, Deputy Director General Promotion for Tourism Malaysia.
 

The ATM 2014 was attended by 83 participating countries and offered a full program of seminars,  business networking opportunities, high level discussions as well as cultural events. 
 

Photos by Saifuddin Ismailji