What has been the impact on the meetings market in the Middle East in light of the current worldwide economic climate?
What are the region’s top meetings destinations?
What are the key factors influencing the booking of Gulf meetings and events?
The results of the region’s third GIBTM/Meetme Gulf Industry Trends Report will be presented by Paul Kennedy MBE, Group Exhibition Director of Reed Travel Exhibitions Meetings and Incentive Events; Rob Nicholas, NPI Publishing and Sally Greenhill, Right Solution on Tuesday 31 March, from 13.00 to 14.00 at GIBTM, ADNEC, Abu Dhabi.
The research, which surveyed Middle East and international meeting planners and suppliers, was undertaken during February and March 2009. It provides the region with its most up-to-date industry trend report.
The results will highlight several key economic indicators including buyer expectations of business in the region; the current top Gulf, Middle East and North Africa destinations for meetings and events and those projected to take the top spots in the next 12 months.
The research also identifies the key influencing factors that sway buyers decisions when placing events in the Middle East.
Last year’s study showed the top destinations were Dubai, Egypt and Morocco with Abu Dhabi leaping into 4th position from 6th in 2006/7. Suppliers also indicated that the volume of events would increase in 2008 and that the Gulf and Middle East had the most growth potential worldwide for their organisation but with the economy rapidly changing, has the business been realised?
Paul Kennedy MBE, Group Exhibition Director of Reed Travel Exhibitions Meetings and Incentive Events commented: “This annual research is a key economic indicator for the meetings industry which has seen growth in the Gulf Region over the past few years. The results will reveal some significant business patterns and identify how international and regional buyers and planners select their preferred destinations, venues and suppliers and which countries within the Gulf Region are the most popular choices and why.”
The presentation of the third GITBM/Meetme Gulf Industry Trends Report is free of charge to all attendees at the event. Those wishing to attend the seminar presentation and the exhibition itself should register at www.gibtm.com
The 2009 Gulf Incentive, Business Travel & Meetings Exhibition (www.gibtm.com) takes place from 31 March – 2 April at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Company Centre (ADNEC). It forms part of a dedicated Gulf Industry Meetings Week comprising GIBTM and Meeting Professionals International’s (MPI) Gulf Meetings and Events Conference taking place at the Intercontinental Hotel, Abu Dhabi from 28 – 29 March.
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