Arabian Travel Market 2005 (ATM), the Middle East’s premier travel and tourism show, aims to raise money for tsunami relief when it throws its doors open to the public this year.

Last year’s show saw more than 8,000 consumers attend the two public open sessions, an 85 per cent increase on the previous year, and organiser, Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE) is confident of a new record turnout for the biggest ever ATM.

Adults tickets are just AED 5 for the Thursday evening and Friday sessions of ATM 2005 and this year, all the ticket money will go to RTE’s ‘Just a Drop’ charity to provide fresh water to communities ravaged by the recent Asian tsunami.

Tom Nutley, a ‘Just a Drop’ Trustee and Chairman of RTE, said: “More than 1.4 million children across the world have no access to fresh water and ‘Just a Drop’ was set up to address this.

Ê

“Since the tsunami, the number of people across Asia who have no fresh water has increased dramatically and ‘Just a Drop’, the travel and tourism industry charity, has been working with relief organisations to combat this problem. Every member of the public who buys a ticket for ATM 2005 can enjoy the biggest show ever while aiding survivors of the tsunami.”

Ê

Floor space at ATM 2005 has been increased to 14,200 square metresÊ and is set to be a sell out, with more 194 main stand-holders from 45 countries, including 44 national tourist boards, already signed up for the show.

Ê

Chris Chackal, Group Exhibition Director - Overseas Events, RTE, said: “Countries struck by the tsunami like Thailand, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and India will be using the show to help rebuild their damaged tourism industry.

Ê

“The consumer open days really took off last year and with a bigger show with more exhibitors, we hope to see even more members of the public enjoy ATM while helping us raise money for the ‘Just a Drop’ tsunami appeal.”

Ê

ATM 2005 will be held at the Dubai World Trade Centre in exhibition halls one through seven from May 3-6.

Ê

Arabian Travel Market 2005 is held under the patronage of His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Defence Minister and under the auspices of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, Government of Dubai.

Ê
——-