DUBAI: His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, toured ATM, the Middle East’s leading travel and tourism event, started on 24 April, as it celebrates 24 years of industry milestones.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum was joined by dignitaries including HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai; HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman and CEO of the Emirates Group; and His Excellency Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General of Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM).
The 24th edition of the show welcomes over 2,600 confirmed exhibitors – with 100 exhibiting for the first time, representing more than 150 countries, across 65 national pavilions. The show also extends across an additional hall, in order to meet growing demand.
Arabian Travel Market (ATM) is the leading, international travel and tourism event in the Middle East for inbound and outbound tourism professionals. ATM 2016 attracted almost 40,000 industry professionals, agreeing deals worth $2.5 billion over the four days.
The 24th edition of ATM will showcase over 2,600 exhibiting companies across 12 halls at Dubai World Trade Centre, making it the largest ATM in its 24-year history.
ATM is part of Reed Travel Exhibition’s World Travel Market events, which also includes WTM London, WTM Latin America and WTM Africa
Simon Press, Senior Exhibition Director, ATM, said: “We have visitors registered from all corners of the globe and all facets of the hospitality industry for what promises to be the biggest show yet in the event’s 24-year history.
“The growth and scale of ATM 2017 is testament to the buoyant travel and tourism industry here in the Mena region. It is no secret the growth we observe in the regional industry is spurred by visionary national agendas and a favourable and thriving business environment. With a series of mega-events scheduled for the coming years, including Expo 2020, this growth will undoubtedly continue.”
Running until April 27, ATM 2017 will look into the latest industry trend of experiential travel as its main theme and feature four days of business networking opportunities, insightful seminars and ministerial meetings, at Dubai World Trade Centre.
In addition to the extended exhibition, ATM 2017 is offering a full programme of seminar sessions.
