Middle East airline shows importance of meetings industry by signing up to GIBTM

Gulf Air is one of the latest organisations to register to exhibit at Middle Eastern meetings, conference and incentive travel show GIBTM.

Offering the biggest airline network in the Middle East, Gulf Air connects to more than 40 destinations worldwide, and is just one of many major organisations to sign up to the Reed Travel Exhibitions show. The move shows the importance with which major airlines now view the meetings, conference and incentive travel industry and the wider business travel sector.

Monarch Dubai has also confirmed its attendance for another year, joining a host of other organisations, including Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, ApartmentStay, Cyprus Tourism Organisation, Egyptian Tourist Authority, ESP Recruitment, Drewe Associates, Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG), Malaysian Tourism Promotion Board, Rotana Hotels and Resorts and Singapore Tourism.

Commenting on the airline signings, Graeme Barnett, exhibition director said: “We are delighted to have attracted some of the key players in a sector that plays such a pivotal role in the meetings industry.  With our exclusive official airline partner Etihad Airways also exhibiting, it highlights the importance the sector is placing on GIBTM as an event to ‘do business’.

“There is no better place in the Gulf and wider Middle East region for professionals involved in the planning and organisation of incentive travel programmes, congresses and events to meet face-to-face with such a wide range of exhibitors.”

GIBTM takes place from 31 March to 2 April 2009 at the purpose-built Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.