news: review: EIBTM sees markets shift east
EIBTM sees markets shift east
Middle East based participants at EIBTM commented that they are looking eastwards in 2012 as intra-regional and Asian business are increasingly becoming their bread and butter, and they expect more business year-on-year.
“I believe that the Gulf countries, particularly UAE, Oman and Qatar are optimistic that 2012 will be better than 2011,” commented Ali Abu Monassar, Chairman of The Vision Destination Management.
Dubai has seen a surge in visitors during 2011 that hotels and DMCs hope will continue in the New Year. “We must be happy with the great results in the UAE which brought us back to the heady days of 2007 at some points in the year,” he added.
Werner Brosse, Deputy GM Planet Travel & Tours commented that: “We are seeing more business, but source markets have changed and it is apparent that Chinese business is growing tremendously, while European business needs to recover.”
Both agreed that “less is expected from Europe this year with the continued economic crisis and austerity measures. Along with newly implemented legislation restricting groups going into Europe, many conferences and incentives are looking elsewhere.
In terms of the outbound market, Brosse foresees growth in the Middle East: “But again, it will be mainly Asia to benefit.”
As source markets move east, new destinations are taking the opportunities and reaping the benefits according to Monassar. “I think what is bad for some countries, could be good for others. For example, the GCC is getting benefits from the Arab Spring as these destinations are seen as safe havens.”
With hosted buyer pre-scheduled appointments hitting 64,950, EIBTM broke records this year with 15,300 attending the three day show. The next show is scheduled for November 27-29, 2012, at the Fira Gran Via, Barcelona.
