Momentum Builds for Middle East, Gulf and North Africa May 14, 2008 Research reveals Dubai, Egypt and Morocco as top destinations
By Jeanie Casison
Interest in the Gulf, Middle East and North Africa is on the rise according to the second annual Gulf Incentive, Business, Travel & Meetings Exhibition (GIBTM) global research study. Buyers from 52 countries and suppliers from 42 countries provided an eye-opener into the demand for destinations in the region.
Dubai, Egypt, Morocco, Abu Dhabi and Jordan ranked as the most popular destinations for international events; and Oman generated greater interest among buyers this year, securing the fifth spot.
Over the next 12 months, 74 percent of the buyer respondents will hold their events in Gulf, Middle East or North Africa destinations; and 59 percent anticipate that the Middle East will be the prime region for the events by 2012. Top influencing factors for this group include location, price, facilities, service level, client preference and brand. As for suppliers, 62 percent believe that the region offers the most growth potential.
"The annual research conducted by GIBTM is proving once again to be a valuable data source about the fast developing meetings industry in the region as well as providing clear indications on future potential," says Paul Kennedy, group exhibition director for GIBTM. "CSR responsibilities, building the right specialist facilities to host the expected increase in volume and also ensuring there is adequate training in place should be a key focus for all the countries in the region, whether they are the clear leaders of the moment or the hot destinations to watch."
Research for the GIBTM study, a collaborative effort by NBI Publishing and Reed Travel Exhibitions, took place in January and February 2008.
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