Dubai : The Middle East's premier travel and tourism event — Arabian Travel Market — finished its 17th year yesterday with the final day dedicated to consumers.
Each year Arabian Travel Market throws opens its doors to the public on the last day of the exhibition. Consumers Day offers the public a chance to participate in fantastic competitions, experience hundreds of destinations and benefit from a host of special offers.
Turkish Airways — the world's fastest growing airline — took advantage of Consumer Day to promote their recently signed three-and-a-half year sponsorship with Manchester United, becoming the club's official airline partner, along with its three-year partnership with FC Barcelona as the new "Official Sponsor" of the legendary football club.
As one of the more than 60 new to market exhibitors at this year's show, the airline offered visitors to the Arabian Travel Market an exclusive chance to win Manchester United football jerseys signed by the stars and a signed FC Barcelona jersey.
"We wanted to bring a successful presence to the region's leading hospitality and tourism fair to an action packed finale further highlighting our commitment to becoming a global brand," said Ayse Misirli Mirza, Director of Turkish Airlines for Dubai and Sri Lanka.
Many facets
Competitions are just one of the many facets of the Arabian Travel Market during the four day event as part of its ongoing mission to provide added value content to its exhibitors and visitors.
"Arabian Travel Market has long prided itself in offering its exhibitors varied opportunities to showcase their products. Consumers Day allows our 2,100 exhibitors to present their products and destinations directly to a captive consumer audience," said Mark Walsh, Group Exhibition Director, Reed Travel Exhibitions.
"Each year we strive to enhance our show floor content adding value for our exhibitors. Consumer Day has become a staple part of this strategy. On the other hand, Consumer Day allows visitors a chance to interact first hand with a destination, providing them with a unique chance to experience hundreds of countries all in one day."
Dubbed one of the most important years in the show's history, the 17th Arabian Travel Market featured exhibitors from six continents and over 72 countries, once again reaffirming the show's reputation as the most respected and well attended travel and tourism show in the region.
