ATM organisers hope for bigger expo in 2004

"We believe we will achieve a 10,000 square metre show next year," said Matt Thompson, Exhibitions Director, Overseas Events, RTE.

"Saudi Arabia and Turkey have already declared their intention to double the size of their pavilions while Spain and India are also looking to expand. There has been a very positive response to this year's show from all areas - the exhibition has had a great buzz about it as the trade looks to recover business lost over recent months. There has been great activity on the floor." Arabian Travel Market 2003, which ends tonight at the Airport Expo Dubai, features 783 exhibitors from 55 countries. It is the largest show in the event's 10-year history. "This year has been quite an achievement all round considering the recent state of the industry. Next year we will target double-digit growth and are looking to attract back national pavilions which were missing this year, including Hong Kong, France, Korea and Singapore. "We also anticipate greater participation year-on-year from technology providers."

As a barometer to the travel industry, Arabian Travel Market 2003 is pointing the way to an upturn with business being actively concluded in the exhibition halls.

Scotland's Macdonald Hotels says it was inundated with enquiries. "It has been far busier than we expected. We have taken enquiries for business which could amount to £250,000. Last year, as a result of ATM we contracted 450,000 room nights, mainly from Indian buyers," David McNeil, Director of Sales, Macdonald Hotels, Edinburgh.