Maktoum opens Arabian Travel Market

The 20th edition of the region’s biggest travel and tourism industry event opened today on a positive note, with the Arabian Travel Market featuring over 2,500 exhibitors from 87 countries.

The show is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

The show as opened by Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, along with Sheikh Majid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, and Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President, CEO and Chairman of Department of Civil Aviation, Chairman of The Emirates Group and Dubai World Central.

They were accompanied by other VIPs and dignitaries.

The four-day ATM, which is being held at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, will feature a keynote address by Sheikh Ahmed, along with playing host to 25 international tourism ministers in the UNWTO/ATM Ministerial Forum to set a theme for common growth agenda for tourism and aviation.

Later today, ‘The Big Conversation’ will play host to Emirates President Tim Clarke and Qantas Airways CEO, Alan Joyce, who will talk about the strategic partnership between Emirates and Qantas.

Event organisers, Reed Travel Exhibitions, are looking to increases visitor numbers on 2012’s 17,000 numbers, with over 22,000 square metres of floor space.

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