‘Knowledge & Content Delivery’ Focus for 15th Edition Arabian Travel Market 2008, the Middle East’s premier travel and tourism event, opened yesterday (May 6th) with its largest ever exhibitor base of 2,208 participants from 70 countries - an eight percent increase on the 2007 edition.

Reed Travel Exhibitions, organisers of Arabian Travel Market - which runs at the Dubai International Exhibition and Convention Centre (DIECC) until 9th May - said that 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 boasts of 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, Philippines, Djibouti, Georgia, Senegal and Nepal.

"Over the years, Arabian Travel Market has evolved in tandem with the regional travel and tourism industry’s growth and development. The show’s evolution has been a continuing process and reflects the Middle East’s emergence as one of the world’s most prominent and exciting tourism hubs," said Richard Mortimore, Managing Director, Reed Travel Exhibitions.

"The increased regional and international exhibitor participation is a clear indication of this market’s expansion. The diversification of the products and services on display further underlines the industry’s growing dynamism and competitiveness."

Entering its 15th anniversary edition, the show has also expanded its Hosted Buyer Programme and is bringing in 120 top international, first time Hosted Buyers to Arabian Travel Market 2008, up from 100 last year.

The programme has targeted specialists from the leisure and golf segment and meetings sector to create the biggest portfolio to date - a unique opportunity for the region’s travel and tourism industry to meet the right partners in a convenient one-stop-shop setting.

For the first time, these Hosted Buyers will be available between 9 and 11am on the show’s opening day to meet exclusively with interested exhibitors.

"One of our core priorities is fostering an environment which allows for increased business interaction. The Hosted Buyer programme is an extension of that. Over the last 12 months, we’ve carefully selected representatives that have the purchasing power to drive forward on-site business opportunities," said Mortimore.

"For us, future growth will be in terms of worth, available content and potential business avenues for participants, not simply numbers – it’ll be quality over quantity; acumen over accrual."