The theme in 2014 will focus on the luxury travel sector. The theme in 2014 will focus on the luxury travel sector.

Organisers of the Arabian Travel Market will host a workshop for exhibitors to discuss marketing opportunities and how to showcase their proposition to ATM’s 21,000 trade visitors ahead of the annual trade exhibition, which will be held from May 5-8 2014.

Dubai’s official tourism body, the Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing (DTCM) also attended a focus workshop in preparation for the Destination Dubai exhibition at ATM.

A report by TRI Hospitality Consulting stated hotels in Dubai reported the highest profit levels in region in 2013, for the fourth consecutive year.

Gross operating profit per available room (GOPPAR) for 2013 increased 10.3% to US $206, average room rates (ARR) for the year were up by 6.5% to US $324, and RevPAR was up by 7.6% for the same period.

Dubai government figures revealed that 7.9 million guests visited the emirate in the first nine months of 2013 – a year on year increase of almost 10%. Furthermore, due to longer average stays, visitors spent US $ 4.2 billion – an increase of 17% compared with the same period in 2012.

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According to Dubai International Airport, annual passenger traffic also rose to 66.4 million in 2013 an increase of 15.2%, with 28 new routes in 2013, it now serves a total of 239 destinations.

ATM organisers, Reed Travel Exhibitions’ portfolio director Mark Walsh said: “The Dubai success story continues with increases right across the board. It is difficult to imagine that growth slowing anytime soon, especially with Standard Chartered Bank estimating that at least US $9 billion will be invested in Dubai’s infrastructure ahead of the Expo 2020.”

Visitors at the roadshow, which is currently in Dubai will be briefed about new event features, including the introduction of an annual theme, with the 2014 show focusing on the luxury travel sector.

A new addition at the event is a showcase theatre, which will allow exhibitors the opportunity to present their products and services in one-hour sessions, as well as the ATM Live Wall, which will broadcast live streaming of interviews, panels debates, and other events.

The ATM seminars will cover travel technology and other industry issues such as luxury travel trends, aviation, Expo 2020, CSR, and mid-scale hotels.