Gulf Air and Australia expand Arabian Travel Market Participation

Gulf Air and the Australian Tourist Commission have expanded their  participation in Arabian Travel Market 2003, the Pan Arab travel and  tourism show due to be held in Dubai early next month.

"Both these exhibitors have expanded their contracted space within the  past two weeks," said Matt Thompson, Group Exhibition Director, Overseas  Events, Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE), which organises the show.

Gulf Air, which will now have a 178 square metre stand, and the ATC join  a growing list of exhibitors whose 2003 participation will be  substantially up on last year.

"In all 19 exhibitors have taken more space than in 2002," said  Thompson. "Together they represent an additional 1,202 square metres of  floor space."

Expanded participation has come from a range of travel and tourism  suppliers including technology companies, destinations, airlines, tour  operators, hotel chains, including Kempinski, and car rental firms.

Despite regional tensions, Arabian Travel Market, which will be held at  the Airport Expo Dubai, United Arab Emirates from May 6-9, continues to  attract exhibitors.

"In the past fortnight we have contracted exhibitors from Lebanon, the UAE and Kenya," said Thompson. "In all 591 exhibitors from 55 countries are now registered for the show."