Canada to take part in Arabian Travel Market for first time

30 April, 2007

A high-powered delegation from Canada will visit the Middle East soon with a view to participating in the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) for the first time.

The Canadian team will include the Ontario Tourism, the Niagara Parks Commission, Canadian Tours International, and Delta Chelsea Hotel-Toronto.

Canada’s debut follows a high-level, fact-finding mission to the Arabian Travel Market in 2006, which was led by Ontario’s Deputy Minister of Tourism, to explore tourism business opportunities between the destinations.

According to Roseanne Longo, vice-president (sales) at Tourism Toronto, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is an emerging market for leisure, meetings and incentive business travel to Toronto and Ontario.

Tourism between Canada and the United Arab Emirates is expected to be further strengthened when Etihad, the UAE’s national airline, introduces direct Abu Dhabi-Toronto services at the end of May 2007. The new service will replace Etihad’s current thrice-weekly connecting flights via Brussels.

Arabian Travel Market 2007, which will be held at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre from May 1 to 4, 2007, has been billed as the biggest and most comprehensive in its 14-year history.

About 2,600 exhibitors from over 60 countries, including over 60 national and regional tourism bodies, are taking part in the Arabian Travel Market 2007.

Destinations being represented at the Arabian Travel Market for the first time include Croatia, Macau, Nigeria, Palestine, Swaziland, Taiwan and Zimbabwe.

There will over 100 newcomers at the Arabian Travel Market such as destination management companies, Asian and European travel technology specialists, African and Asian health resorts and spas as well as travel and tour operators.

The Arabian Travel Market 2007 will also feature initiatives designed to heighten the visitor and exhibitor experience, including a dedicated travel and technology area and a tourism development pavilion focussing on the Middle East’s emerging big-project destinations, according to its organisers.