With less than two weeks remaining until GIBTM - the leading event for the meetings, incentives and business travel industry in the Gulf Region - the organisers, Reed Travel Exhibitions, have announced that there will be 270 Hosted Buyers attending from countries across the globe with a new emphasis on Saudi meetings, events and business professionals with 25 confirmed to participate.

As a result of the interest generated from Hosted Buyers attending the show from countries including Australia, Brazil, China, India, Qatar, Russia, The U.S and UK, some exhibitors including Emirates Palace, The Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort and Spa, Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company, Rocco Forte Hotel Abu Dhabi, Jumeirah at Etihad Towers and Armani Hotel Dubai and Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority have now opened second diaries to accommodate the demand for appointments pre-scheduled.

The emphasis of the event is on business tourism, meetings, events and conferences with over 300 exhibitors on the show floor from the Gulf and wider Middle East. First time exhibitors include: Kuwait Ministry of Commerce and Industry Tourism Sector’, Qatar Airways, Royal Brunei Airlines, Convention Bureau Italia S. P. A., Show Gizmo, 1001 Direk Cistern, PSideo SA, Oman Convention Center, Hotel Pullman Dubai, Mall of Emirates, Yas Viceroy Hotel Abu Dhabi, Golden Isle Travel (Pvt) Ltd., Bonnington Hotel - Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Rosewood Abu Dhabi and Hyatt Capital Gate Hotel.

With the industry growing year on year as many new venues and products are launched, this year both the Government of Dubai and Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority are increasing the size of their stand to accommodate the growing number of exhibiting partners.

Lois Hall, Reed Travel Exhibitions Event Director GIBTM commented: “The combination of so many new exhibitors as well as the growth in the industry regionally and internationally means we are looking forward to a busy show.  The major increase in Saudi Arabian Hosted Buyers are a real sign that GIBTM is a powerful place to do business and together with our new focus on Business Travel we hope to also see many more new faces from the corporate travel sector.”

ACTE, The Association of Corporate Travel Executives, will also, for the first time,  provide ground breaking educational sessions as a result of their new strategic partnership with GIBTM. The aim of each education seminar will be to help individuals who are involved in planning business travel for their clients make well informed decisions, reduce costs, enhance performance and ultimately increase their network of suppliers.  Seminars include:
·    First step in optimising your business travel spend: Building and implementing a travel policy - Do’s and Don’ts
·    Unravel the mystery of business travel technology distribution costs and how it affects the price you pay
·    Improve finance processes and optimise travel payment systems in the Middle Eastern Region
·    Delivering savings in an upbeat Middle Eastern market