Mubasher: Hotels are expected to represent 20% of the total show area at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2018, which will take place at Dubai World Trade Centre from 22 to 25 April, according to a recent statement.

The travel market of this year is considered the largest exhibition of regional and global hotel brands in the history of Arabian Travel Market.

ATM 2018 will feature 68 main hotel-stand exhibitors, including eight new brands, over an area of more than 5,000 sqm, as well as over 100 Middle East hotels featured alongside their respective national tourism organisations.

The largest stands will showcase A.A.Al Moosa Enterprises UAE, owners of hotels operated by Hilton, Starwood, Marriott, Taj and Wyndham; Intercontinental Hotel Group; and the Middle East’s newest hotel group, Roda Hotels.

They will operate stands covering 185sqm, 120sqm and 100sqm, respectively.

As it celebrates its 25th edition in 2018, ATM will also host some of the brands that were present at the first show, back in 1994.

These brands include Abjar Hotels International, Abu Dhabi National Hotels Forte Group, Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts, Marriott International, Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, and Taj Hotels.

ATM’s statement said, “As stakeholders in the regional hospitality industry, each brand has contributed to the GCC’s phenomenal rate of growth, which is driven currently by the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Oman.”

“Over the coming years, we will see these new properties prosper as millions more tourists visit the region for the first time. The last 12 months brought unprecedented developments in major markets and the region is poised for further great developments in 2018,” senior exhibition director of ATM, Simon Press, said.