Dubai Ready for ATM

The 16th edition of Arabian Travel Market (ATM 2009), the Middle East's premier travel and tourism exhibition, will be held from 5 to 8 May at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.  The event's signature awards scheme, the New Frontiers Awards, will be staged for the fourth time in 2009. Presented to a destination that has made a remarkable recovery and positive contribution to tourism development in the face of the overwhelming adversity, the award, which is chosen by a panel of judges consisting of regional and international industry professionals, is one of the show's highlights.
The 2008 event - which marked the show's 15th anniversary - opened with its largest ever exhibitor base of 2,229 participants from 70 countries. In addition, floorspace bookings from international representatives in Asia, the Americas, Europe and Africa had grown by 10 percent, with Middle East companies increasing their allocation by five percent. The 2008 show also boasted close to 90 new-to-market exhibitors, as well as increased space uptake from over 62 national tourist bodies with products and services representing 70 countries, including show debutants Bangladesh, The Philippines, Djibouti, Georgia, Senegal and Nepal.