ATM adds extra hall due to surge in tourism growth

The 2014 edition of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) will mark significant growth for the region’s largest travel showcase. 

Due to increased exhibitor demand from a variety of industry sectors, an extra hall has been added to the floor plan, which now exceeds 23,500 square metres of exhibition space.

According to organiser, Reed Travel Exhibitions, this represents a 5.8% increase in floor space for next year’s event, which will be held from 5-8 May, 2014 at the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre.

“That the highest growth in floor space is coming from the Middle East is reflected in the growth being experienced in tourism in the region,” said Reed Travel Exhibitions portfolio director Mark Walsh.

Newly revealed statistics show a rising demand from Middle East exhibitors up 11%, Europe up by 7% and travel technology and hotels rising by 8% and 7% respectively.

The Gulf is also climbing the ranks of the 2013 World Economic Forum Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Index, with the UAE now making the top 30. Qatar and Oman are also improving their ‘appeal’ rating on the 14-strong country list.

This is supported by figures from Dubai’s Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing (DTCM), which forecasts the economic value of the GCC hospitality industry will be US$28.3 billion by 2016, through a healthy annual growth rate of 8.1%.

“The UAE is the undoubted tourism leader in the Gulf region, but multi-billion dollar high profile developments and ambitious long term economic diversification plans are also putting neighbouring Qatar, Oman and Saudi Arabia in the spotlight,” added Walsh.