Reed Travel Exhibitions is introducing its renowned ILTM Ultratravel Forum to Arabian Travel Market, May 2nd – 5th 2011 at Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre. 

This exclusive forum will comprise a high profile panel from a cross section of international luxury travel brands addressing the theme ‘Understanding the Middle Eastern market and what it offers luxury travellers’.

International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) – the leading ‘invitation-only’ event for the world’s definitive collection of luxury experiences - has also invited a selection of the most elite of the world’s buyers of luxury travel to attend ‘ILTM at Arabian Travel Market’ to meet the leading luxury travel suppliers from across Arabia and the Indian Subcontinent.

Taking place on Tuesday, May 3rd, 10:00 – 12.30, the ‘ILTM Ultratravel Forum at Arabian Travel Market’ will include an exclusive, one-to-one interview with renowned hotelier and Chairman of The Rocco Forte Collection, Sir Rocco Forte, hosted by Graham Boynton, Group Travel Editor of the UK’s Telegraph Media Group. During the discussion on stage, Sir Rocco who founded The Rocco Forte Collection in 1996 and operates in key European destinations will reveal his plans to expand to the Middle East and Africa in 2011 with new hotels in Cairo, Jeddah, Marrakech and Abu Dhabi.

Following the success of his presentation at ILTM in Cannes, the ILTM Ultratravel Forum at Arabian Travel Market opens with a presentation on the macro-economics of the region by John Andrews, Consultant Editor at The Economist. The presentation will be followed by the panel discussion “Understanding the Middle Eastern market and what it offers luxury travellers” which will be facilitated by Rosemary Behan, Editor at Ultratravel Middle East and Travel Editor at The National.  The panel includes: Amit Arora, Vice President Sales and Marketing, Emaar Hotels & Resorts; Frederic Bardin, Senior Vice President, Emirates Holidays; Guy Crawford, Chief Executive Officer, Jumeirah; Philippe Georgiou, Chief Officer of Corporate Affairs, Oman Air; and Klara Glowczewska, Editor-in-Chief, Condé Nast Traveler.

Debbie Joslin, ILTM Exhibition director commented: “The Middle East has become increasingly fascinating to luxury travellers from all points of the globe. We are delighted that the new ILTM Ultratravel Forum at Arabian Travel Market has created an essential platform for movers and shakers from the world of luxury travel with an interest in the vibrant region.”

For further information regarding ILTM, check out the website.