SAUDI TRAVEL EXHIBITION IN STRONG DEMAND

Director of ITE Travel Exhibitions David Hammond said: "Demand has been so positive that we have moved forward the dates of the event one week, to 19^th-22^nd September. Previously we had secured one part of the Jeddah International Exhibition Centre, which we were sharing with another concurrent event. By moving forward the dates, we now have sole tenancy which will enable us to accommodate the extra space we will need for GULF2000".

Added event director Ronan McCarthy: "Major stands are being booked by key exhibitors, including many that did not exhibit at the two previous events held outside of Saudi Arabia. In the last 3 weeks alone, we have received contracts or signatures are imminent from 30 more exhibitors including Government of Dubai; Forte & Le Meridien Hotels & Resorts; Bass Hotels & Resorts; Turkey; Sapo Emirates Car Rentals; Holiday Autos; Accor Group; Rosewood Hotels; Cyprus; Malaysia, Ritz Carlton; Amadeus; Czech Republic; Morocco, Sharjah, Philippines; Tunisia, Galileo; India; Singapore; Indonesia; Air Charter companies; Florida Real Estate companies; worldwide Chauffeur Drive companies; Spa & Health companies, plus many Saudi based travel companies who have not exhibited separately outside of the Kingdom before.

"We cautiously predict a show 10% bigger than GULF'99, with 70-80 main stands and 150-180 total exhibiting companies. However, if the current pace of sales maintains well into July, the potential is for a significant percentage growth on the 1999 event.

"The main attraction to all our exhibitors is that we now have the medium to directly deliver over 80% of all visitors from the local Saudi market, in the same way that any Middle East travel event attracts a similar percentage of visitors from the host State. An additional difference with an event in Saudi Arabia is the considerable number of KSA based agencies and operators run by expatriate General Managers, who's visa's do not permit them to travel to other GCC States. This is a new buyer audience, as are the Jeddah based consumers who will be allowed entry on the latter two days, and who have a reputation for making lucrative direct bookings on the day".

Questions have been raised by some overseas delegates regarding the restrictions to enter Saudi Arabia for the event. As Official Groundhandler to GULF2000, Travel Masters - one of the leading groups in Saudi Arabia with over 50 outlets - have a pre-authorised number of visas for all GULF2000 delegates, including married and unmarried women delegates. All exhibiting and visiting delegates are advised to submit their visa application by July 31^st, to avoid any delay.

The event is also attracting a growing number of events taking place alongside, such as a PATA Saudi Chapter meeting; an UFTAA regional meeting to include discussions on the future potential for a Travel Agent's Association for Saudi Arabia; as well as a planned education programme for the Saudi travel trade which encompasses GDS bookings, hotel management and other training subjects.

Added McCarthy: "GULF2000 is positioned as a Saudi Outbound and Intra-Gulf travel event. However, with the major growth of domestic travel within the Kingdom, and the beginnings of a strategy for a future inbound tourism product, the event also has an important future by expanding it's parameters to provide a key platform for the promotion of tourism into and within Saudi Arabia".

London based ITE Group Plc are the leading organiser of exhibitions in new and emerging markets, whose other events include the MITT event in Moscow; Holiday World, Prague; India Travel Market, Mumbai and EMITT the East Mediterranean International Travel & Tourism exhibition in Istanbul.

GULF2000 will take place from Tuesday 19^th to Friday 22^nd September 2000 at the Jeddah International Exhibition Centre, 2 days Trade Only; 2 Days including the Saudi Consumer.

For more information contact:-

Ronan McCarthy, ITE Travel Exhibitions
Tel: +44 (0)207 596 5046
Fax: +44 (0)207 596 5111
Email: [email protected]