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Lizid Travel Australia (LTA), a specialist inbound tour operator for
Australia, New Zealand and Fiji, says it is currently investigating the feasibility of a
permanent Middle East presence, or joint venture.
The company, currently represented in the region by general sales
agents, says outbound travel from the Middle East is now its core business having
grown from a standing start of just five regional clients in 1994 to hundreds
last year.
"As flight times shorten and people learn more about Australia we
foresee big potential for growth, especially now that Emirates flies to three
Australian destinations and plans to launch flights to Brisbane later this
year," said Liz Smith, Chairman, Lizid Travel Australia.
LTA now plans to develop its product-line for Middle East
travellers.
"At this year’s Arabian Travel Market we will launch golfing holidays in
Australia and health and wellness vacations," said Smith.
LTA is one of 11 exhibitors from Australia registered for Arabian Travel
Market 2003, which will be held at the Airport Expo Dubai, United Arab Emirates from May 6-9.
Despite recent uncertainties in the region, Reed Travel Exhibitions,
which organises Arabian Travel Market, says space contracted for the show to
date is still up on last year.
"There remains extremely strong participation from the Asian-Pacific
region," explained Matt Thompson, Group Exhibition Director, Overseas Events, RTE. "Currently there are more than 50 countries signed up for
ATM. Stand bookings are still coming in, particularly from within the Middle
East and Asia."
To date, some 556 exhibitors from 55 countries have contracted for
Arabian Travel Market 2003. |
