Europe back-ended at ATM
European exhibitors have expressed disappointment at being herded together at the back of Zabeel Hall at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2008.
VisitBritain in particular is considering pulling out of the 2009 installment of the trade show unless it secures a better position next year.
"I've already told the organisers that I'm not taking part next year unless they give us a better spot," said VisitBritain regional marketing manager Carol Maddison speaking to Arabian Travel News at the show.
The VisitBritain stand was located at the back of Zabeel Hall, described by Maddison as "the back of beyond" and therefore did not benefit from passing foot traffic.
Czech Tourism Trade Fairs manager Martina Kolarova added: "The problem for a lot of European countries is the location within the exhibition halls.
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"Europe is right at the end this year so there haven't been as many visitors as last year."
Tourism Ireland's GCC manager Leo Fewtrell said he would follow VisitBritain's lead as he believed the best positioning for his stand was next to the UK.
"The two fit together nicely," he said, "but I will be speaking to Carol [at VisitBritain] about what she thinks is the best plan [for next year]".
On a more positive note, Geraldine Egan, manager of new and developing markets for Tourism Ireland, which was exhibiting at the show for the third time, said she was "very happy" with the response the country had received at this year's show.
She acknowledged that Tourism Ireland would, however, request a more prominent stand position next year.
Most European exhibitors with whom ATN spoke said they would be back in 2009.
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