The ongoing effects of the Eurozone crisis has prompted popular Mediterranean destinations to focus on growth opportunities within the GCC markets at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) which reports a sell-out show previous to next month’s 20th anniversary event.
The latest statistics from ATM organiser, Reed Travel Exhibitions, reveal that demand from new exhibitors at ATM, which occurs on the Dubai World Trade Centre on May 6th-9th 2013, has pushed show floor space to a record of over 22,000 square metres (sqm), a six per cent increase over last year.
In addition there are 27 more exhibition stands than last year, up seven per cent and an outstanding 98 new companies covering over 2,160 sqm with a purpose to be exhibiting.
In terms of vertical sectors, technology continued to grow again this year up 34 per cent to at least one,700 sqm because the digital industry trends gather pace.
Geographically two of the appropriate performing regions were Europe and North Africa.
Each region has grown by 20 per cent and 36 per cent respectively to hide almost 4,000 sqm combined, or 18 per cent of the full exhibition space available, as hotels and resorts at the Mediterranean coast principally, search for a bigger share of the GCC outbound market.
“Exhibitor demand from countries at the Mediterranean coast, had been particularly strong this year because the tourism industries in Turkey, Morocco and Egypt turn their attention to the outbound GCC market,” said Mark Walsh, portfolio director, Reed Travel Exhibitions.
“GCC travelers with their high disposable income levels are naturally a key target audience for Mediterranean destinations, but with traditional Western European source markets facing tough economic challenges, that can cause tourism receipts to say no, the relevance of the GCC markets becomes much more pronounced,” he added.
According to the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism office in Dubai, the collection of tourists travelling to Turkey from the GCC region has increased significantly formerly few years, with over 370 per cent growth from the UAE, 331 per cent for Kuwait and almost 600 per cent from Qatar for the period to August 2012 versus 2011.
Turkey has taken an extra 25 per cent of exhibition floor space this year, with first-time exhibitors including two regional tourism bodies – the Bursa Eskişehir Bilecik Development Agency and Dogu Karadeniz Illeri Hizmet ve Kalkinma Birligi.
Turkey’s appeal lies not just in its cultural blend of East meets West but its accessibility, with Turkish Airlines alone connected to over 30 Gulf and Middle East destinations, enhanced by a competitive fare strategy.
“In addition, the familiarity of recognised brands, inclusive of Jumeirah, Rotana and The Address, which understand the necessities of the center East market, are attracting both national and expatriate travelers from the GCC into Turkey,” said Walsh.
Morocco can be seeking to the region to further develop inbound potential, with the Gulf already accounting for 30 per cent of annual visitor traffic.
National carrier Royal Air Maroc also is reportedly desirous to pursue a strategic partnership with a regional airline, through a minority stake purchase, thereby allowing it to expand its reach into new profitable territories.
Following a GCC tour by Moroccan monarch King Mohammed VI in late 2012, the rustic signed a five-year strategic investment partnership worth US$5 billion with the Gulf states.
Egypt is placing similar emphasis on attracting Gulf-based travellers to its shores.
According to tourism minister, Hisham Zaazou, Egypt is committed to restoring consumer confidence and hoping to gain pre-2010 tourism levels by the top of 2013.
With direct routes to Spain, Italy, France, Cyprus, Greece and Tunisia, the region’s airlines also are making the Mediterranean resorts more accessible. Other new exhibitors at ATM include the Monaco Government Tourism Bureau, Libya and Turismo de Portugal.
Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vp and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai and set to celebrate its 20th anniversary, the show has grown to become the biggest showcase of its kind within the region and among the biggest on the planet.