Bahrain's tourism sector and hospitality industry will be showcased at the at Arabian Travel Market 2005, to be held in Dubai on May 3-6, writes Mehmood ... 

Bahrain's tourism sector and hospitality industry will be showcased at the at Arabian Travel Market 2005, to be held in Dubai on May 3-6, writes Mehmood Rafique
Bahrain's department of Tourism Affairs (DTA) will lead the Kingdom's travel and tourism industry delegation at its 120-square-metre pavilion. DTA will host more than 40 hotels and travel agents, which will converge at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) to promote Bahrain's fast-growing portfolio of tourism attractions.
This was announced by Chris Chackal, group exhibitions director, Reed Travel Exhibitors (RTE), Chris James, marketing manager and Lucie Dawkins marketing executive at a Press conference yesterday.
"We believe the show will attract more Bahrain travel-trade professionals than ever before. The number of Bahrain trade visitors has been constantly rising during the last few years with a notable one-fifth increase noted in last year's event as compared to the 2003 event."
"All major travel agencies and five-star hotels of the Kingdom will be present at the event and this is an indication of the importance attached to the show by Bahrain's travel industry," said Chris Chackal, group exhibitions director, RTE. "The recent opening of new hotels, the launch of exciting big-ticket development projects with a tourism allure and the establishment of major international sporting events have all contributed immensely to Bahrain's growing regional and international tourism appeal.
"This spate of recent developments helped the Kingdom register a whopping 19 per cent increase in the number of visitors it received during the first eight months of last year as compared to the same period the previous year," he said.
Currently standing at the 5 million mark, Bahrain's annual visitor number is set for a further increase as the country invests heavily in a new hospitality infrastructure and major attractions such as Al Areen Desert Spa and Resort.
RTE says it has already exceeded its target on the size of this year's ATM with floor space now totalling 15,308 square metres, 31 per cent larger than last year show. More than 300 square metres of exhibition space will be dedicated to Bahraini exhibitors this year.