Arabian Travel Market 2008 opens

Dubai: Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman and CEO of Emirates Group opened the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2008, the Middle East's premier travel and tourism event today at Dubai International Convention Centre.

The 2008 show boasts of 2208 participants. Entering its 15th anniversary edition, the show has expanded its hosted buyer programme and is bringing in 120 top international, first-time hosted buyers to ATM 2008, up from 100 last year.

To ease access to and from the venue, the organisers have changed the opening hours to 11am to 7pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday - which are trade-only days, with Friday being the consumer day.

This year, adults should pay an entry fee of Dh20 while American Express card members and accompanied youngsters under 16 are allowed in free.