Abu Dhabi to host largest GIBTM

ABU DHABI - Abu Dhabi city, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, is readying to stage the largest annual Gulf Incentive the Gulf Incentive, Business Travel and Meetings (GIBTM) event - the Middle East’s only trade exhibition dedicated to the vital business tourism (MICE) industry.

By (Wam)

Published: Tue 24 Mar 2009, 7:56 PM

Last updated: Mon 6 Apr 2015, 1:44 AM

Taking up 15% more space at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) than last year - the event, which runs from March 31-April 2 will feature 232 exhibitors, including an influx of show newcomers from 10 countries.

Event organiser Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE) has also reported a 20% year-on-year rise in visitor pre-registrations.

The upsurge, says Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) which supports the show, is a clear indication of the meetings industry looking for new opportunities in an era of economic challenges.

ADTA Chairman, His Excellency Sultan Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, said GIBTM would serve as a catalyst to new business generation.

”Global business tourism, having witnessed a period of unparalleled growth over the last decade, is not immune to the rough economic seas that confront all of us. However, with every crisis comes new opportunities. The imminent task ahead for all involved in the global travel and tourism business is to remain united in our collective vision of forging fresh industry frontiers and charting new growth.

”Industry revitalisation and innovation can happen, even in such tough times, by stakeholders delivering demonstrable value-for-money products and propositions which make business tourism planners and end-users alike sit up and take notice as perhaps never before,” he said.

”We and our partners will spare no effort in ensuring this exhibition plays an important role in enabling new business tourism flows, in catalyzing product innovation and ensuring the long-term sustainability of one of the most resilient segments of the global tourism mix.”

RTE says the GIBTM exhibition and conference will deliver new ideas and opportunities to build and develop business.

”To attract 13 new, main-line exhibitors in the current climate is an indication that the global industry casting its net further to generate and sustain business returns,” said Graeme Barnett, GIBTM Exhibition Director.

The new exhibitor line up includes: Gulf Air, Hilton International, Costa del Sol, Movenpick, Rendezvous Italia, the Energy Cities Alliance, Travel Connection Arabia, Seoul Tourism Organisation, Jordan Tourism Board, China CYTS Tours Holding Co. Ltd., London Speakers Bureau, Russkie Prostori and Visit London.

This year’s event also features its largest hosted buyer programme to date with some 245 key industry decision makers from 25 countries - one third coming from within the Middle East, another third from Asia and the final third from Europe.

”This year will see the largest ever contingent of hosted buyers from the region - which is an indication that the industry within the Middle East is now maturing,” added Barnett.

GIBTM is part of a week Abu Dhabi has dedicated to the meetings industry. It begins with the Gulf Meetings and Events Conference (GMEC) organised by the global industry association Meetings Professional International (MPI). Taking place at the InterContinental Hotel Abu Dhabi from March 28 - 29^th, GMEC includes a host of educational sessions featuring international industry speakers and local experts.