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arabian travel market launches exhibitor workshop initiative rte moves to help clients get more from leading pan-arab trade show

albawaba.com

Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE) – organiser of Arabian Travel Market, the region’s premier travel and tourism industry – has staged its first pre-event exhibitor workshop aimed at assisting clients to get the most out of the annual event.

The half-day workshop, at the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre (DICEC), introduced exhibitors to various event business opportunities and the tools available to capitalise on them. “We want to work even more closely with our exhibitors to ensure their business objectives are fully realised,” said Richard Mortimore, Managing Director, RTE. “Arabian Travel Market has experienced tremendous growth over the years and is today ranked among top global travel and tourism events such as ITB in Berlin and World Travel Market in London. “It is vital that new exhibitors in particular understand the opportunities offered by the event and how to maximise their business potential as well as optimise their return-on-investment.” Over 60 first-time, as well as regular exhibitors, attended the workshop. A number of exhibitor tools on the show website www.arabiantravelmarket.com were explained in detail. Exhibitors were also briefed on event facilities, such as the Meridian Club, which is RTE’s business lounge for club member buyer visitors to meet and discuss business. First time exhibitor BRISTOL Middle East Yacht Solution’s Business Development Manager, Johanna Dalez welcomed RTE’s initiative saying it was “important.” “I explored the Arabian Travel Market website thoroughly, but still there were many features which were clarified in detail such as the diary tool that helps visitors book appointments with us and allows us to confirm or cancel meetings.” The Manager of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Office, Hilary McCormack, found the workshop “very user-friendly” enabling exhibitors to better structure themselves and become more organised. Regular exhibitors also found the interaction useful. “We have been exhibiting at Arabian Travel Market for almost 12 years now and although we meet with RTE often to discuss marketing tools, we found the workshop very good. ATM attracts buyers from all over the region and it is the best show in the Middle East,” said Pascal Lepetre, Director, Maison de la France Middle East Regional Office. Adnan Aridi, General Manager, ALPHA TOURS said though his company has participated at Arabian Travel Market since its inception, the workshop still opened up new opportunities. “The initiative is a good pre-event exhibitor networking opportunity,” he said. Arabian Travel Market 2007, which will be held from May 1 – 4 at DICEC, has already witnessed a 42% increase in pre-registered visitors who are expected to meet with exhibitors from over 60 countries and destinations. Arabian Travel Market is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, and under the auspices of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, Government of Dubai.

 Printable Version  | published Mar 05, 2007