Exhibitors at the Arabian Travel Market 2002, the Middle East’s travel and tourism show which runs at the Airport Expo Dubai until Friday night have placed the annual event firmly up amongst the international rankings.
"In the first day and a half we signed six contracts with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) travel agencies for summer business," said General Manager of the Holiday Inn Dubai, Edward Chaaya. "Prospective summer business looks good for Dubai. There appears to have been more trade visitors this year, more from within the GCC but also from Europe and the Far East. The show is becoming a much more international event and compares well with ITB and World Travel Market,” he added.
According to Director of Sales and Marketing of the Sheraton Jumeirah Beach, Bassam El Khoury, the show was fast becoming a contract finalization hub for European tour operators. "They are using this show to finalize their contracts for all the Middle East region," he said. "I have met here with representatives from Kuoni and Gold Medal Travel of the United Kingdom (UK) as well as TUI and Airtours of Germany,” added El Khoury.
Arabian Travel Market 2002, which is organized by Reed Travel Exhibitions, will be open to the public on Friday evening. Entry is on payment of a nominal five Emirati dirham fee or Dh 10 for a family ticket, though visitors producing a Visa card will gain entry free-of-charge. — (menareport.com)
© 2002 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
