Arabian Travel Market has opened its doors at the Dubai International Conference & Exhibition Centre, bringing together some of the biggest names in the travel and tourism business for the Middle East, showcasing their latest news and developments.

The 2015 show is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai.

Now approaching its 20th year, the show has grown to become the largest showcase of its kind in the region and one of the biggest in the world.

This year’s four-day event is set to highlight tech growth within the industry, as online travel bookings in the MENA region increased by ten per cent in 2014.

According to YouGov data, 31 per cent of those surveyed booked all of their travel requirements online, an increase of ten per cent over 2013.

Of those surveyed a quarter used their smartphones to book hotels online while mobile usage to access online travel guides or to book leisure activities rose by six per cent.

“Throughout the region, we are witnessing major growth in online bookings as airlines, tour operators and hotels develop ever-more sophisticated digital platforms and social media strategies to ensure they reach out effectively to both existing and potential guests,” said Nadege Noblet, exhibition manager of Arabian Travel Market.

“The industry as a whole is embracing technology like never before, to compete in a digital market place where accessibility and speed are critical to the demands of today’s tech-savvy travellers, especially mobile compatible sites for hotels, tour operators and leisure attractions,” added Noblet.

Recent figures unveiled Dubai-based Arabian Travel Market generated over $2 billion worth of business deals at annual 2014 May event; total World Travel Market Portfolio contributes $6.5 billion of additional revenue to the global travel industry.

Research conducted by Reed Travel Exhibitions in London, has revealed that the annual Arabian Travel Market, which takes place in Dubai each May witnessed more than 2,700 exhibitors sign business deals worth more than $2.1 billion with 23,500 visitors at the 2014 event.

Family centric travel, which accounted for more than 12.5 per cent of the $1.07 trillion global tourism market, has been selected as the official show theme for this year’s event, which takes place at the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre from 4th-7th May 2015.

Arabian Travel Market is a part of The World Travel Market Portfolio, consisting of four leading business-to-business travel trade events, which has facilitated more than $6.5 billion (£3.9 million) the latest research has revealed.