TRADE SHOW RE VI EW DUBAI
ATM confidence
The Arabian Travel Market in Dubai (May 6-9) celebrated more opportunity and growth for the region as it celebrated 20 years in business, says Jane Wilson
New adventure park
THE IMG Worlds of Adventure, the world’s largest temperature-controlled indoor entertainment destination, was unveiled at ATM. This giant facility will comprise four themed
zones (Marvel, Cartoon
Network, The Lost Valley and IMG Entertainment) spread over 1.5 million sq ft, designed to attract 20,000 visitors per day. VP Marketing of Illyas & Mustafa Galadari Group (IMG), Adam Alexander, commented: “This new entertainment facility fills a gap for thrill-seeking family
entertainment. It will be
competitively priced, and conveniently positioned just 20 minutes from the airport. Its varied themes will appeal to most age groups”
imgaladari.com
“THE UK MARKET IS UP 10% ON LAST YEAR... DUBAI' S MAIN GROWTH HAS BEEN IN FIVE-STAR
PROPERTIES" IAN SCOTT DUBAI TOURISM
IN BRIEF Luxury Hiltons open in UAE: Hilton
Worldwide is introducing two of its luxury brands, Conrad Dubai and Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah, into the UAE. The company also expects to open 13 DoubleTree by Hiltons across the region within the next three years. So far this year, 10 new Middle East deals have been signed.
Hiltonworldwide.com
Understated cool for Dubai: The newly- launched urban hub chain Vida Hotels and Resorts, designed for the young culture-conscious upwardly
mobile
traveller, is to open in downtown Dubai. This first ‘understated cool’ hotel will offer 156 rooms of modern luxury and equipped with state-of-the-art technology and amenities.
VIDA-hotels.com
Indian Ocean opening for JA Resorts: JA Resorts & Hotels,
(formerly Jebel Ali
International Hotels) says its first international property – Enchanted Island Resort in the Seychelles – will open this year. This five-star boutique island resort will feature eight one-bedroom villas and two Enchanted Signature Jaresortshotels
Mövenpick heads for a century: This Villas.
year marks the 40th anniversary of the Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts brand, with 78 operating properties and a goal of 100 hotels across the world by 2015. Last year the company took over the 298-room upscale Red Sea property in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt and a first property Ankara, Turkey.
Moevenpick-hotels.com
CELEBRATING its 20th anniversary year, the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) attracted over 2,500 exhibitors from 87 countries. The UAE, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia are the key drivers of tourism growth for the region, as their respective governments prioritise tourism as the major anchor for future economic diversification. According to Mark Walsh, Portfolio Director, Reed Travel Exhibitions,
the
Middle East is the world's fastest growing region for tourism.
"European delegates
were up seven per cent at ATM this year, with most targeting the high-spending family market,” he said. Oman's government is investing $39 million into the development of Dhofar province. The capital, Salalah, will benefit from new Qatar Airways and Oman Air
services while Port Sultan Qaboos’ transformation into a tourism and cruise ship precinct is expected to be completed this year. Muscat International Airport’s new terminal is scheduled to open in 2014. The focus for Dubai is growing its appeal
as a year-round tourism destination and promoting its diverse calendar of events and activities. “The UK market is 10% up on last year,” said Dubai Tourism's Ian Scott. “The main growth has been in five-star properties, which are up 22% year on year." New this year is ‘Summer in Dubai’, a
three-month (June-September) campaign to highlight the climate-controlled indoor entertainment (see story left) and to promote Dubai’s uniqueness as a family destination.
definitelydubai.com
Middle East leading the way
Qatar gearing up for big year in 2022
AS host to the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Qatar is implementing a US$65- billion investment plan that includes over 85,000 new hotel rooms. The National Museum of Qatar, the new international airport and convention centre are all due to open in 2014. With the Qatar Tourism Authority’s increased focus on education and entertainment to boost tourism, the country is emerging as a hotspot for the arts. Hend Zainal, Head of Marketing for
Qatar Tourism Authority, said: “We are focusing on highlighting our cultural heritage through events such as the Qatar UK 2013 Year of Culture, created by the Qatar Museum Authority and The British Council. A series of cultural events will take place this year in both countries. “This includes an exhibition
at
London’s Victoria and Albert Museum entitled
‘Pearls’, (open from
September 21 2013 to January 19, 2014) and a new exhibition at the Al Riwaq Exhibition Center in Qatar's capital, Doha, by British artist Damien Hirst (running October 10 2013 to January 30 2014). “We are now busy working with the
UK trade to develop these cultural packages to showcase the character and personality of the country”.
qatartourism.gov.uk
in
16 June 2013
www.sellinglonghaul.com
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