HRH Sheikh Mohammed opens Arabian Travel Market 2012
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HRH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al 
Maktoum, UAE vice president, prime minister and ruler of Dubai, officially inaugurated Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2012, in the presence of senior government officials, leaders of the regional and international travel industry as well as high-profile participants.
Mark Walsh, portfolio director, Reed Travel Exhibitions, organiser of Arabian Travel Market, said: “The region’s tourism figures show that it is growing once again. This year’s event is a strong indicator of the vital role the travel and tourism industry plays in the region’s socio-economic development.”
“A recent World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) report showed the direct contribution of the travel and tourism trade to GDP is forecast to increase by 4.6% to over US$250 billion over the next decade,” he added.
ATM 2012 has seen a 46% rise in visitor pre-registrations, against 2011 figures, for its 19th edition, as well as travel agent registration up by 213%.
