The 20th Arabian Travel Market (ATM), the biggest travel and tourism event in the Middle East, opens on 6th May with a record number of more than 2500 exhibitors and over 20 national tourist delegations including Turkey, named as UNWTO’s 6th most popular destination in the world and returning with stronger tourism strategies set to particularly expand Middle East and GCC receipts.
Running until the 9th of May at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC) and celebrating two decades of success this year, Arabian Travel Market, has concurrently witnessed Turkey’s fervor and rapid growth in the travel and tourism industry from 20 years of participation since the event’s inception.
Taking an additional 25% of exhibition floor space this year Turkish stand is the third biggest at the ATM this year after Dubai and Abu-Dhabi stands with the total of 26 bodies from Turkey will be returning to the show as well as joining the event for the first time including two regional tourism delegations namely Bursa Eskişehir Bilecik Development Agency (BEKA) and Dogu Karadeniz Illeri Hizmet ve Kalkinma Birligi (DOKA). Due to high demand from Turkish participants 21 Turkish hotels, travel agencies and destination managements will have their individual stands in Europe stand to promote Turkey widely.
“Turkey has been exhibiting at ATM for 15 years now and this year we’re returning with an insatiable commitment to deliver beyond what is expected from the current trends; and as always, we are excited and certain to reap an entirely new wave of benefits from joining the fair.” Sedat Gonulluoglu, Turkish Cultural and Information Attaché commented.
Tourism to Turkey from GCC region has been experiencing phenomenal growth. According to official statistics of Ministry of Culture and Tourism in 2012 compared to 2011 number of tourists from UAE increased by 35.11%, from Bahrain by 38.37%, from Kuwait by 56.59% and from Qatar by 82.37%. And in February 2013 alone compared to same period in 2012 number of tourists from UAE increased by 65.71%, from Bahrain by 134.24%, from Kuwait by 89.82% and Qatar by 110.34%.
“These numbers just contain the citizens of those countries. As you know there are too many expats who work in the region and they also travel to Turkey a lot.” Said Sedat Gonulluoglu. “In 2013 we are expecting 65% increase from GCC” Sedat Gonulluoglu added.
“This year we will be promoting cultural tourism in this region. We are sure Arab tourists would love to see amazing Cappadocia and the great cave hotels in there.” Sedat Gonulluoglu also said. This goes in line with the Republic’s goal to sustain the upward trend and to attract 60 million tourists in year 2023 for 100th year of Republic of Turkey. Last year Turkey hosted 32 million tourists, taking to consideration growing popularity and upward trend 60 million tourists in 2023 seems well within the reach.
