GIBTM. Business destinations in the EU are now on the cusp of an influx of business travellers from the UAE, after the European Parliament voted for Emiratis to be exempt from obtaining visas to visit any of the 25 Schengen countries last week. “A further announcement will be made regarding the execution of the decision, but effectively this means Emiratis will be able to travel freely to 25 countries in the EU for periods of up to 90 days without a visa”, said Lois Hall, Exhibition Manager of the Gulf Incentives, Business Travel and Meetings Expo, (GIBTM) which takes place at The Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) on 24-26 March 2014.
After a similar decision by the UK to relax visa requirements for UAE nationals (online visa applications 48 hours in advance), the stage is set for a whole new chapter of business travel from the region, certainly if the scheme is extended to other Gulf nations. Ready to benefit from the new ruling at this year’s GIBTM, is the European pavilion, which contains 19 companies and destinations, and is 66% larger than last year. Debutants include companies such as Spain’s Iberostar, Barcelo Hotels and Resorts, I’way Express from the Czech Republic, Talaria Experience from Madrid, as well as Arsenal Football Club.
“Over 66% of the world’s population lies within an eight hour flight of UAE, giving the region unparalleled leverage to become the future global hub for business travellers. Indeed Middle Eastern carriers already share 7% of the global market which the Airbus Global Market Forecast 2013 estimates will grow to 11% by 2031, an annual growth rate of 7.3%, higher by 2% than any other geographical region in the world,” added Hall.
This year’s GIBTM will accommodate 300 exhibitors from 35 countries including up to 300 Hosted Buyers that will attend the event, with 8,500 pre-scheduled appointments.´New initiatives for GIBTM 2014 include the Business Travel @GIBTM, a full day of networking for the business travel industry, with attendees invited to participate in the Corporate Travel Networking session sponsored by the Hyatt Capital Gate, Corporate Travel Conference Programme and GIBTM Knowledge Hub Seminars, as well as the GIBTM Official Networking Reception sponsored and hosted by Yas Island on Tuesday 25th March.
