While no Australian exhibitors or buyers were in attendance, a record number of hosted buyers and business appointments were reported during the recent fourth annual Gulf Incentive Business Travel and Meetings Exhibition (GIBTM), held in the United Arab Emirate’s capital Abu Dhabi.

Unaudited figures show 260 hosted buyers from 40 countries were in attendance, up 10 percent on 2009, and a total of around 7500 meetings took place with the 220 exhibitors – up from 6390 last year.

Commenting on the show, Graeme Barnett, GIBTM exhibition director said it had been the largest gathering of meeting professionals in the UAE.

“People are looking at new things for clients and exciting destinations,” he said stressing that GIBTM was not to be compared with ATM (Arabian Travel Mart) held annually in Dubai.

“We haven’t set out to capture the leisure market.”

Mr Barnett, who is stepping down as exhibition director of GIBTM before taking over the reins of EIBTM, said the show is in excellent shape to grow and expand.

“The outcome proved there are clear, optimistic signs that meeting and event planners are recognising the enormous potential the region has to do business. One only has to see the new hotel and venue developments opening or being planned for Abu Dhabi alone.”

News from exhibitors
The Sultanate of Oman increased its focus on meetings and incentive travel at GIBTM. Khalid Al Zadjali, acting director of Tourism Events for Oman’s Tourism Ministry said, “GIBTM is a great venue to demonstrate Oman’s commitment to meetings and incentive travel and to build trade awareness in Oman as an exciting niche destination. We are seeing growth in MICE business and see a bright future with the Sultanate’s decision to build a 6000 plus seat convention and exhibition centre in Muscat, due for completion in 2013,” he said.

Mr Zadjali said the new facility would complement the MICE capability of their leading hotels and resorts, and act as a ‘springboard’ for break-out groups and excursions to experience Oman’s diverse regional landscapes and experiences.

“I am confident the combination of great facilities, services and powerful experiences will ensure meetings are successful and that our visitors will return home feeling they have learnt from Oman and Arabia.”

The Dubai based Jumeriah Group, which had increased its stand space over last year, was gearing up to celebrate Jumeriah Emirates Towers’ 10th anniversary. Yannis Anagnostakis, the hotel’s general manager said. “Be prepared for a wonderful host of exclusive special offers and discounts.”

Mr Anagnostakis described the market in Dubai as showing recovery.

“We are experiencing high occupancies, and in the city we closed the year on 70 percent [occupancy].”

What the exhibitors said...
“For the fourth year running GIBTM was highly productive for Abu Dhabi and our stakeholders,” said Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority’s business tourism manager, Gillian Taylor.

“The highlight was our hosting of 260 influential buyers - the largest in the show’s history - which gave us an unrivalled opportunity to demonstrate first hand this destination’s greatly expanded business tourism and MICE offering. The number of appointments was up by 17 percent and we noted a much greater presence of regional buyers this year which was particularly encouraging.”

Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board, UAE’s Mohammad Ibrahim Masri said the event helped the bureau connect and meet with hosted buyers from the region.

“...and we have seen serious buyers and groups with strong business potential,” he said.

“This is really good exposure for the brand, especially as we are launching more hotels in the Middle East with Doha next to open in 2011,” said Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts’ Valerie Vayssiere-Hugill.

What the buyers said...
“GIBTM has been great. I have met people that we will do business with. We are in the Middle East for the long haul and being at GIBTM is a great starting point.”
- Johnathan Bodansky, BSL World, UK.

“GIBTM is perfect for us. The meetings I have had have been excellent and I anticipate closing business deals.”
- Artem Kikitin, Personne Travel Club, Russia.

“GIBTM has given me the opportunity to meet representatives and suppliers I have been trying to meet for many years.”
- Rajeev Wadden, Omragga Conference and Services, India.

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