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Gulf and Middle East of Growing Interest to Incentive Buyers
April 17, 2008
Dubai, Egypt, and Morocco remain top three destinations
The Gulf Incentive, Business Travel & Meetings Exhibition (GIBTM), second global research study was revealed at a seminar during the first day of GIBTM.
The research was undertaken during January and February 2008 in conjunction with meetme (NPI Publishing) and Reed Travel Exhibitions, both using their regional and global databases of international meeting planners and suppliers.
The 2008 survey, reportedly produced hundreds of responses from buyers in 52 countries and suppliers in 42 countries, with approximately 50% of them based in the Middle East region. Buyers represented third party organizers and agencies, corporate buyers and the not-for-profit sector. The respondents from corporations listed activities that covered more than 10 industries with the largest proportion for financial services, pharmaceutical / medical sectors, manufacturing / industrial, property and retail. Suppliers were from destination management companies, hotels and spas, incentive specialists, travel suppliers, airlines and venues.
The results from the buyers include:
• 74% will hold events in destinations in the Gulf/Middle East/North Africa within the next 12 months
• 74% expect the number of events they organize in the Middle East to increase within the next 12 months.
• 59% think that the Middle East will be the prime region for their events by 2012
• 55% of buyers say the volume of events they organize will increase in 2008
The top five destinations where events have been held during the past 12 months include: Dubai, Egypt, Morocco, Abu Dhabi and Jordan. Although Dubai is the most popular destination (and was in 2007 as well) Abu Dhabi is increasing its market share by ranking as the 4th preferred destination this year while last year it was in 6th position. However, Oman is generating clear interest from buyers with the destination coming 5th in the tally of countries where buyers plan to organise their next event in the future (the first four countries are: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Egypt and Morocco).
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