Official GIBTM hotels reflect Abu Dhabi growth
Following last year’s largest gathering of meeting professionals in the Gulf Region, the next edition of The Gulf Incentive, Business Travel & Meetings Exhibition (GIBTM) 2010, taking place from 29 – 31 March has attracted major players in the industry recognising the expanding business opportunities in the Region.
These include Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, Costa Del Sol Tourist Board, Cyprus Tourism Organisation, Egyptian Tourist Authority, Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG), Seoul Tourism Organisation, Qatar Tourism Authority, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development, Etihad Airways, Jumeirah, Movenpick Hotels and Resorts, Sri Lanka Convention Bureau, Silversea Cruises and Toerisme Vlaanderen
Additionally, following the success of Gulf Meetings Week for the past two years, GIBTM has organised a comprehensive programme which will include the extension of Abu Dhabi Day organised by ADTA – now running over two days – fam-trips for Hosted Buyers around the region, association support, and an expanded education programme supported by AIPC, SITE, ICCA and MPI.
Reflecting the growing interest in GIBTM, Hosted Buyers, exhibitors and visitors will have the opportunity to experience the new and existing first class hotel developments that Abu Dhabi offers at GIBTM delegate rates.
A selection of last year’s official hotels of Millennium Hotel Abu Dhabi, Beach Rotana Hotel and Towers, Intercontinental Abu Dhabi, Sheraton Abu Dhabi, Le Meridien Abu Dhabi and Le Royal Meridien Abu Dhabi are joined by the Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, Al Raha Beach Hotel, Traders Hotel, The Yas Hotel, Yas Island Rotana, Crowne Plaza Yas Island, Aloft Abu Dhabi Hotel (linked to GIBTM’s venue ADNEC), Sheraton Khalidiya Hotel, Radisson Blu Hotel and the Park Rotana Abu Dhabi.
Commenting on these developments Exhibition Director Graeme Barnett said: “GIBTM is driving the development of the meetings industry in the region at a time of unprecedented expansion. One only has to witness the excitement and anticipation generated by Yas Island to recognise the enormous potential offered to the meetings industry. It is predicted that 300,000 jobs will be created in the next ten years in the hospitality sector alone in the Middle East; 20 per cent within the meetings and event sector. That’s 60,000 meeting professionals!
“From an education perspective, GIBTM is at the forefront of providing professional education for the meetings industry and it has been a long term strategy to provide specific learning sessions for the Gulf meetings market. Our dedicated programme will provide the industry, from students upwards, with a real platform in which they can learn from industry experts and exchange best practices.
“There is no better time, whether an exhibitor or a Hosted Buyer, to commit to attend GIBTM 2010. Attracting a regional and global visitor audience including hundreds of Hosted Buyers from Europe, America, Africa, Asia, the United Arab Emirates and the Middle East – as well professionals involved in the planning and organisation of incentive travel programmes, congresses or events – it is the Gulf event that delivers business and return on investment.”
For further information on exhibiting or becoming a Hosted Buyer log onto www.gibtm.com
