Category Archives: Exhibitions

Gulf Air has announced partnership with the fifth edition of ‘Shop Bahrain’. The partnership comes in line with Gulf Air’s efforts to support the Kingdom’s initiatives that contribute to boost the tourism sector. ‘Shop Bahrain’ is a 30-day event aimed at celebrating the Kingdom’s hospitality and tourism offering, reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a tourist destination – in particularly visitors coming from neighbouring GCC countries – due to its close proximity. The festival being held from January 1 to February 2, 2019 will offer a unique shopping experience with fun-filled family entertainment and valuable prizes. Commenting on this strategic partnership, Sheikh Khalid bin Humood Al Khalifa, CEO, Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority, said, “We thank Gulf Air for their ongoing support and efforts to promote the fifth edition of ‘Shop Bahrain’ through its different marketing channels. This will increase the Kingdom’s exposure on a regional and global level and encourage travellers to join the festival in the Kingdom. We are honoured by this partnership that supports BTEA’s strategy “Bahrain. Ours. Yours.” and strengthens relations between the public and private sectors to achieve the Economic Vision 2030.” Captain Waleed Al Alawi, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Gulf Air, said, “We are delighted to be amongst the festival’s partners from the very first edition. This partnership comes in line with our efforts to support events and initiatives that revitalise the Kingdom’s economy, such as Formula 1, the Bahrain International Airshow, Ironman and more.” Through its strategic partnership Gulf Air is offering 5000 discounted airline tickets for Business and Economy Class Return tickets, among the 73,000 instant prizes given to the Festival’s winners.

Nordic Travel Fair (MATKA) held from January 16 to 20, 2019 in Messukeskus, Helsinki in Finland this year marked 30 years as the biggest travel industry events in Northern Europe with 940 exhibitors, 86 destinations under the theme ‘hidden treasures.’ The first two days were only for travel industry professionals with workshops and presentations and the last three were dedicated to consumers looking for travel deals and inspiration. MATKA targets travel industry professionals from all around the world. Buyers and suppliers, especially from Finland and Nordic countries find the event valuable. They focused on workshops and networking to boost sales, and on presentations relevant to industry professionals. Sustainable travel and modern sales are highlighted in MATKA 2019. As Nordic destinations is growing among Middle Eastern travellers, MATKA provided a good platform to take a look at these destinations and the travel experiences that are offered for visitors. 2019 had a strong focus on responsible and sustainable travel as well as food tourism with over 70,000 visitors. A number of exhibitors from Middle East has grown in the recent years and in 2019 destinations such as Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah from the United Arab Emirates.

Well-known for its wellness treatment, especially in the European and Asian markets, six of Sri Lanka’s health and wellness resorts will participate at the upcoming Arab Health exhibition and conference at the World Trade Center from January 28 to 31, 2019. Some of the alternative medicine and wellness tourism companies that will attend this event are Heritance Ayurveda Maha Gedara, Hettigoda Industries (Siddhalepa Ayurveda Resort), Barberyn Reef Ayurveda Resort, Vingnana at Reefs (Kaya Resort and Spa), Sen Wellness Sanctuary and Hotel Tree of Life. The objective of participation at this year’s Arab Health is to establish business links with prospective business partners in promoting Sri Lanka as a prominent wellness tourism destination in the region.

In line with its strategy to reach out to and explore new global markets, the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) participated for the first time in Matka Nordic Travel Fair, being held at Messukeskus Helsinki in Finland from January 17 to 20, 2019. The participation in Matka 2019 formed part of SCTDA’s endeavours to target key global markets through participating in international events and exhibitions to strengthen Sharjah’s position as a leading global tourist destination. Besides creating awareness about its unique tourism and hospitality offerings before visitors from the Nordics, the participation in Northern Europe’s largest travel industry event also marks SCTDA’s entry into the Nordic markets. The emirate of Sharjah welcomed 92,000 travellers from Northern Europe in the year 2018. To further drive and sustain this growth, SCTDA’s partners such as Radisson Blue Hotel, Sharjah International Airport Authority, Coral Beach Hotel, Sharjah Airport Travel Agency (SATA), the Act Hotel, Sharjah Collection, Beach Hotel and TravTalk will exhibit under its banner at the exhibition to raise awareness about the emirate’s local culture, history and unique tourism offerings. The concerted efforts will support the achievement of Sharjah Tourism Vision 2021. To attract an increased number of international visitors to the emirate, including Northern Europeans, SCTDA focuses on the Sharjah Tourism Vision 2021 that aims to attract more than 10 million tourists by the year 2021, coinciding with the UAE’s 50th year of founding. To achieve this, SCTDA, in collaboration with partners in the tourism sector, has adopted four strategic pillars. These are: the promotion of Sharjah as an ideal family tourism destination by offering distinct packages and offers, adoption of an innovative tourism approach to enhance the tourist experience, …

As part of its strategy to explore key global markets to effectively position Sharjah on the global tourism map, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) is participating at SATTE 2019, South Asia’s leading travel trade show, being held from January 16-18 at India Expo Centre, Greater Noida – Delhi NCR. SCTDA will utilise the event platform to enhance the emirate’s brand and profile before Indian and other international visitors to drive growth, particularly in terms of the number of international tourist arrivals in 2019 and beyond. At SATTE 2019, the Authority will showcase Sharjah’s unique tourism and hospitality offerings along with a number of partners from both public and private sectors. These include Ramada Hotel- Sharjah, Copthorne Hotel- Sharjah, Air Arabia, Sharjah Airport Travel Agency (SATA), Orient Tours and TravTalk. Under SCTDA’s banner, these entities will highlight Sharjah’s local culture, history and the diverse leisure and recreational activities its tourism sector has to offer. HE Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman, SCTDA, said, “Since SATTE has become the launch platform for many countries and tourism products from across the globe to do business in and with India, we consider this as an extremely strategic opportunity to widen our reach and explore new partnerships. Our participation in SATTE 2019 complements our vision of positioning Sharjah as the ideal global destination for family holidaymakers, while also emphasising the emirate’s status as a well-known cultural hub for historical and natural heritage. Drawing inspiration from the Sharjah Tourism Vision 2021, which aims to attract 10 million tourists, we will continue to develop distinctive family leisure and tourism activities with special packages to attract visitors. Hence, expanding our presence to new markets through partnerships with …

Experience Hub is set to participate at the South Asian Travel and Trade Exhibition (SATTE) taking place from January 16 to 18, 2019 in Delhi, India for promoting Yas Island Abu Dhabi as a one-of-a-kind destination for the UAE holidaymakers. It will highlight many of the island’s award-winning attractions while underscoring collaboration opportunities for travel companies in the South Asian market. Marina Cipriano, General Manager, Experience Hub, said: “We are deeply invested in India, which at a 20 per cent year-on-year growth rate is one of our fastest growing markets for Yas Island. SATTE 2019 is the perfect platform for us to further engage and strengthen our relationships with existing travel partners, while also expanding our network across the country. As always, we are keen to work hand-in-hand with the travel industry to deliver best-in-class services, and ensure we can provide Indian travellers visiting Yas Island Abu Dhabi with unrivalled entertainment value.” Following its launch in January last year, Experience Hub demonstrated its commitment to the Indian market by expanding its presence in the country, with the establishment of key offices in Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru. Experience Hub also embarked on several roadshows and events, in collaboration with the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi and Etihad Airways, in an effort to further meet the particular needs of the Indian travel market.  

The 7th edition of the Global Airport Leaders’ Forum (GALF) is set to take place in Dubai this year. One of the world’s most influential knowledge-sharing platforms for the airports industry, agenda for GALF 2019 taking place from April 29 to May 1 alongside the 19th edition of Airport Show reflects the changing aviation landscape and future technologies. Airport Show and its co-located events will be held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority; Chairman, Dubai Airports and Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group. The knowledge-enhancement initiative is themed ‘Leading Collaborative Sustainable Aviation Growth’, reflecting the future growth path of the industry which supports US$2.7 trillion of the world’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and carries over four billion passengers and 62 million tonnes of freight a year. At GALF, industry leaders and experts from around the world will gather to discuss common challenges, partnership opportunities and chart the way forward for the region’s aviation growth. The three-day event will feature pressing topics including smart airports and sustainability, airport privatisation models,  building non- aeronautical revenue systems and the future of blockchain in aviation, amongst other topics. Dubai has ambitious plans to be the world’s first city fully powered by blockchain by 2020 and the emirate is making persistent efforts to be a global leader in blockchain adoption. Daniyal Qureshi, Group Exhibition Director, Reed Exhibitions Middle East, organisers of Airport Show said, “The agenda for GALF 2019 undoubtedly reflects the direction the industry is going in and we are looking forward to seeing what interesting discussions take place to ensure our industry is at the forefront of digital transformation.”

ITB China — the largest exclusive B2B marketplace for the Chinese travel industry and will take place from May 15 to 17, 2019 in Shanghai. Recently, ITB China Buyers Circle launched its first offline event on customised and personalised outdoor activities designed for island trips in Wanning, on Hainan Island. The show also announced that it will launch the ITB China Buyers Circle in 2019, followed by the first of a series of offline events focusing on different key topics. Island trips is also one of the key topics of ITB China’s focus on “Customised and Themed Tours”. The event attracted more than 50 top buyers from the ITB China Buyers Circle to share their knowledge.

Set to be held from April 30 to May 1, CONNECT Middle East, India & Africa 2019 is expected to bring together airline specialists, aviation authorities, tourism boards, airports and tour operators, as well as other travel-related industry professionals. Fourteen airlines have already confirmed their participation at CONNECT Middle East, India & Africa – co-located with Arabian Travel Market 2019 and taking place at Dubai World Trade Centre. Senior network planning teams from Emirates, Etihad, flydubai, Air Arabia, Air Asia, EgyptAir, flyadeal, Ethiopian Airlines, Global Airways, Atlas Global, Germania, Mahan Air, Royal Air Maroc and Titan Airways will attend the inaugural route development forum. Throughout 2018, GCC airlines have added 58 new flight routes – focusing on areas of consistent and substantial growth – according to research from Colliers International – based on a sample of 10 airlines including Emirates, Etihad, flydubai, Salaam Air, Oman Air, Gulf Air, Saudia, flyadeal, Air Arabia and IndiGo airlines. Karin Butot, CEO, The Airport Agency, said, “2018 has been an exciting year for new flight routes both to and from the GCC, underscoring Dubai as the ideal location to bring together professionals from the aviation and tourism industry for the inaugural CONNECT Middle East, India and Africa forum. With up to 400 delegates, CONNECT Middle East, India & Africa 2019 will include unlimited one-to-one pre-scheduled appointments, a conference programme, panel discussions and airline and  industry briefings as well as an exhibition area dedicated to airports and suppliers.” Nick Pilbeam, Divisional Director, Reed Travel Exhibitions, said, “It is an ideal base for exploring some of the world’s most interesting and previously inaccessible corners of the world. And the GCC’s airlines are making it even easier with the …

Making its show stopping debut at the 24th edition of the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF), Dubai’s biggest citywide shopping extravaganza created by Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), an agency of Dubai Tourism, is Light Art DXB, combining the elements of movement and light, which will be on display from January 7 until February 13, 2019 at the Burj Park Plaza. Creating a dynamic environment from optimally placed giant mirrors, Light Art DXB will bathe Downtown Dubai’s Burj Park Plaza in a mesmerising kaleidoscope of light. The display of six dynamic sculptures, created through rotating mirrors and supported by a strategic placement of light, will complement the Burj Park Plaza and additionally work in harmony as a reflection base for Burj Khalifa. A bespoke artistic installation by Dubai Tourism and masterminded by Dubai-based technical designer, John Jossifakis, in collaboration with Frankfurt and Athens-based lighting designer, George Tellos, Light Art DXB is the first in a series of new installations the city will enjoy in 2019.