Arabian Travel Market organiser Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE) claims the 2008 event attracted a better quality of visitors than last year - and most exhibitors tend to agree.
We all knew that 2008 was ATM's biggest show yet in terms of exhibitors, with 2200 from 70 countries represented, but the question on everyone's lips was whether or not visitor numbers were up.
Opinion was divided: exhibitors with whom ATN spoke at the show generally concurred that day one (May 6) was definitely busier but that day three (May 8) was markedly more quiet than in previous years.
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Official visitor numbers had not been released at time of press and will be subject to an audit, but what ATM organiser Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE) did say was that the number of quality visitors attending the 2008 event had increased 15% on 2007 figures.
"We have seen very positive increases in the quality of visitor coming through the show's doors this year," said exhibition director Simon Press.
"With considerable purchasing power, these visitors have the authority to sign deals on the spot, reiterating the importance buyers place on the region as a key tourism market.
Total visitor numbers nudged over the 15,000-mark in 2007 compared to 13,100 in 2006 and prior to ATM RTE said it believed 2008 visitor numbers could reach 17,000 this year.
For 2008, Reed invited 125 international and regional hosted buyers who represented major tour operators, meeting planners and other decision-makers - this compared to 100 in 2007.
Tourism Australia GCC distribution director Andrew Oldfield agreed with RTE that this year's ATM saw a better quality of delegates visit his stand.
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