ATM opens with over 2,000 exhibitors

The 18th editionof the Arabian Travel Market (ATM), where Nigeria and other tourism promoters in the world meet to showcase and market their tourism products and services to boost patronage was declared open by the Emir of Dubai, Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, on Monday for exhibition.Featuring more than 320 main exhibitors and 2000 sharing companies, with 69 countries and 57 national tourism organisation represented.Many nations have exceeded the amount of space taken last year with exhibition areas up to 11.8 per cent.The ATM for the first time scheduled it business sessions to run over a full four days with the show starting on monday, one day earlier than usual and the consumer secssion taking place tomorrow (Thursday), between 3:00pm and 9:00pm.According to the Group Exhibition Director, Reed Travel Exhibition (RTE), Mr Mark Walsh, we have attracted this year was particularly impressive, especially giving the difficulties in some of the region along with the residualeffects of the economic downturn.Despite these factors, the exhibition and conference agenda, came handy with some of the industry foremost experts from benchmark companies, has attracted strong interest from decision  makers from the region and afield.Also the Director-General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Chief Olusegun Runsewe, who led the Nigerian delegation to the tourism market assured that Nigerias third appearance at the ATM was goaded by the result of its participation in previous event which has not only imparted marginally on the tourists influx into the country but  also boost business  activities in recent times.We have come to terms with improved product development ideas and genuine way to package and position the tourism potential in Nigeria to drive prompt economic activities and earnings.There is more to tourism than what we think and do in Nigeria and that was the reason the NTDC is putting all hand on deck to rally and set a standard and platform to get everyone involve fulfilling all obligation to making the public and private sector initiative a worthwhile effort for the development of the tourism industry.Runsewe, however, promise to explore all the advantages offered by the ATM to boost tourism promotion and development in Nigeria vis-a-vis creating activities and business incentives for stakeholders and Nigeria at large.
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