Gulf Incentive, Business Travel & Meetings Exhibition (GIBTM), organised by Reed Travel Exhibitions is offering Hosted Buyers the opportunity to take part in a pre show Abu Dhabi tour entitled “Experience the Magic”.

The city tour will take place on 7th April, just before the event on the 8-10th April 2008, and is organised in partnership with NCC (member of the Net Group), sponsored by ADTA.

Hosted Buyers will be able to witness how Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates has transformed itself from a small fishing village before the discovery of oil in the early 1960s to a metropolis which blends modernity and traditional Arabian culture, making it the perfect destination for meeting professionals and those involved in the industry.

Hosted Buyers on the tour will visit new developments to include the iconic architectural landmarks being built on Saadiyat Island with a trip to the TDIC exhibition at the Emirates Palace.

Hosted Buyers will be given explanations on both the world-class museum devoted to modern and contemporary art to be called the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, which is being designed by the internationally-acclaimed architect Frank Gehry, and the Louvre Abu Dhabi designed by French architect Jean Nouvel which will be built and will be a microcity under one big dome and a work of art in itself.

Lunch will be included and in the afternoon there will be a visit to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. The mosque, still in its final stages of construction will be one of the largest in the world and is a truly international piece of architecture using artisans and materials from all over the world.

Hosted Buyers will then have the option to select a programme of tailor-made hotel inspections or visit the Khayal al Sahara Desert Camp. Khayal al Sahara (Sahara Illusion) is built following the local traditional style that reflects part of the Qasr al Hosn historical building in Abu Dhabi.

In the evening, Hosted Buyers will be invited to the pre-event Ice Breaker networking reception sponsored by and taking place at the Hilton Abu Dhabi.

Prior to GIBTM 2008, The Gulf Meetings and Events Conference, created and delivered by MPI will take place in Dubai on 5-6 April. Delegates attending the Gulf Meetings and Events Conference will be transferred to GIBTM 2008 in Abu Dhabi on Monday 7 April.

Both events will, for the first time, create a week dedicated to providing a focus for the industry sector by delivering an educational, business and networking opportunity for the Gulf region.

The Hosted Buyer Programme is open to professionals who work as senior level meeting planners, in-house travel managers, conference organisers, event organisers, independent agencies such as event and conference organisers, incentive houses and business travel agencies who carry out these functions, also PAs responsible for arranging meetings and finding venues.

Professionals wishing to apply for the Hosted Buyer programme should visit www.gibtm.travel/hostedbuyers