PUBLISHING
Publisher Rob Nicholas EDITORIAL
Group Editor Faye Rowe Production Editor Debra Freeman-Thorpe
Contributors Will Rankin
Gemma Greenwood Sarah McCay Kathi Everden
STUDIO
Senior Art Director Andrea Tempesta Senior Designers Prachi Bhaumik Tim MacDonald
Photographer Adham Sneeh
Production Coordinator Naveed Aziz ADVERTISING
Advertising Manager Irene Fernandez
International Sales Manager Rose D’Souza Special Projects Manager Kirat Sabharwal Sales Coordinator Carol Milan
I can’t believe another year has gone by and we
are once again on the eve of GIBTM, Abu Dhabi. The months have flown by and a lot has hap- pened between the shows. There was the recent announcement about the establishment of Abu Dhabi Convention Bureau to support the capital’s efforts to attract major peripatetic events (see page 10), and we have seen a slew of new hotel proper- ties opening in Abu Dhabi that are nothing short of awe inspiring. Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) has been expanding apace, while
the pipeline of attractions in the capital are appearing closer on the horizon, with some such as Yas Waterworld being completed. The eyes of the world are on the region, an example of which is Starwood making
Dubai its head office for a month – moving from Stamford in the United States to bring it closer to the action. The Gulf is fantastically positioned between Europe and Asia, and as power shifts east, so do the big players. Starwood is the latest in a long line of companies to take advantage of the UAE’s strategic position, not to mention the tax-free incentive and local growth opportunities, as well as those within easy striking distance. Dubai and Abu Dhabi are certainly at the top of the regional league table for the
meetings industry but they are not alone. While Bahrain has been on the benches due to political strain, Qatar has been flexing its financial muscle to build what is widely regarded as the world’s finest convention centre, and is undertaking a marathon task of building up to the World Cup 2022. Oman is also shaking off its more nonchalant reputation and is constructing an
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incredible new meetings facility (Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre) that show- cases the destination as a whole amidst natural beauty and resplendent mountains. Fast forward to 2016 and there may be some surprises as Oman has the X-Factor that can’t be usurped by anything man-made. With GIBTM approaching, these are exciting times for the meetings industry. At no
other time in the Gulf have we had so much competition or potential for success. The political strife elsewhere in the Middle East is driving business into the UAE, Oman and Qatar, creating a perfect storm for tourism and investment. Each destination has its own unique cards to play, but like everything in business and industry, it is not just the cards you hold, it is how you play them.
Rob Nicholas Publisher
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