THE FAR EAST TO CHALLENGE WESTERN DOMINATION OF MID EAST OUTBOUND TRAVEL MART

Far Eastern destinations are to step up their challenge to perceived

Western domination of the Middle East’s outbound travel market,

according to a Singapore Tourism Board (STB) official.

"The Far East is generally a new destination for the Middle East

market," said Dr. Abdul Rahman Bin Mohideen, the STB’s Marketing

Officer, West Asia. "Focus has previously been on the West only but we

foresee this trend changing as consumers become more aware of what other

destinations can offer."

The STB is one of a growing number of Far Eastern tourism bodies which

are stepping up their Middle East promotion at Arabian Travel Market

the region’s foremost travel and tourism trade exhibition, which will be

held in Dubai this May.

"Singapore will be joined at Arabian Travel Market 2000 by the Hong Kong

Tourist Association, Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board, the Philippine

Convention & Visitors Corporation and the Tourist Authority of

Thailand," said Matt Thompson, Exhibition Director, Arabian Travel

Market. "There will also be participation from the Taiwanese airline Eva

Air, as well as Royal Brunei airlines and private hotels and tour

operators from both Singapore and Indonesia.

"Far East destinations returned to the Arabian Travel Market in force

last year following a two-year absence because of their then economic

crisis. They are now wanting to add more space and expand their overall

show presence."

In 1999 the STB was at Arabian Travel Market with 19 members all

promoting the country’s ‘Millenniamania’ celebrations. "We will be

promoting the final leg of this event at the May 2000 show," said Dr.

Bin Mohideen. "For Singapore, the Middle East is an emerging market. We

have seen positive growth in arrivals from the region and would like to

work closer with the market for better growth."

At Arabian Travel Market 2000, which will be held at the Dubai World

Trade Centre, United Arab Emirates from May 2-5, the STB will offer

visitors their last chance to daily win free vacations in a ‘Once In A

Millennium’ lucky draw.

Arabian Travel Market 2000, which is organised by Reed Travel

Exhibitions (RTE), will be the largest in the show’s seven-year history

covering some 6,500 square metres ? five per cent more floor space than

last year.

To date, the show has attracted exhibitors from 50 countries, including

40 official tourism bodies. "This includes first time representation

from Bulgaria’s Ministry of Economy, the Moroccan National Tourist

Office, the Nepal Tourism Board, New Zealand Tourist Board, the Romanian

National Tourist Office and Tahiti Tourisme," explained Thompson.