exhibitions: GIBTM reports: Future bright for Middle East meetings
Future bright for Middle East meetings
Industry survey puts region top as destination with the most potential for meetings and events
Confidence in the Middle East meetings market is unwavering with buyers and suppliers both tipping the region for future growth, according to results from the fourth Middle East Meetings Industry Report, announced at the show yesterday.
The report, presented by GIBTM in co-operation with The Right Solution and meetme, predicts significant growth potential, with increased numbers of events using a wider range of destinations. A total of 58 percent of respondents had held events in the region over the last twelve months, with 25 percent having organised more events than in the previous year. The research highlighted that 56 percent expect the number of events to increase in the next 12 months, with incentives and corporate conferences likely to benefit.
“There is a real mood of optimism for what will happen now, and growth is expected for the year ahead,” said Sally Greenfield, director, The Right Solution, addressing a packed seminar yesterday.
The survey results highlighted a number of positive trends for the region. The size of events has increased, despite the economic slowdown, with buyers reporting an average event size of 204 delegates in 2009, versus 154 in 2008.
“Size of events has gone up. The number of events has also increased in Abu Dhabi, so I think we have bucked the global trend,” confirmed David Granville, sales opportunities manager, Etihad Airways, talking from the floor during the research seminar.
“We’ve seen a pick-up out of the European market. We will see increases in business from Q4 2010 with more growth in 2011. Corporate conferences are coming back to Dubai and we are seeing positive signs across the board. We are also starting to see a pick-up in associations business, and you can feel a positive mood in Dubai. New enquiries are coming through,” added Alberto Giancarlo Cavallo, associate director of business development – groups, Jumeirah.
Budgets have also remained somewhat constant, with mean budgets for the Middle East at US$495,000, showing just a two percent decline on 2008, which saw average buyer budgets settle at US$505,000.
“Consistent marketing by the convention bureaus and facilities such as ADNEC and DWTC are certainly bearing fruit now. The new centre in Qatar will also offer opportunities. Clients want to bring events into the region but they were previously constrained by lack of infrastructure and high pricing. Those are no longer issues,” commented Martin Sirk, CEO, ICCA.
While Dubai dominated the market as the destination of choice, a wider diversity of destinations was seen through the survey results, with Morocco, Jordan, Qatar, Oman and Tunisia proving big draws for the meeting and incentive industry.
“Perhaps buyers are choosing new destinations such as Morocco and Tunisia because of the price difference against more established destinations such as Dubai,” said Rob Nicholas, publisher of meetme magazine.
To download a copy of the complete survey report, click here
