ABU DHABI -
The Gulf Incentives, Business Travel & Meetings
Exhibition (GIBTM)'s Fourth Middle East Meetings Industry
Report presented on Tuesday, provided valuable insights
into the developing meetings industry across the Gulf and
wider Middle East region. The report predicts significant
growth potential, with increased numbers of events using a
wider range of destinations.The 2010 report produced responses
from 458 buyers from 57 countries. Fifty-eight percent of
respondents had held events in the region over the last
twelve months with 25 percent having organised more events
than in the previous year; the most frequently organised
type of event being incentive travel and meetings. Events
had been held in 26 different destinations with the most
popular being Dubai, Egypt, Abu Dhabi, Morocco, Jordan,
Qatar and Oman. Both Bahrain and Saudi Arabia had slipped
down the chart since last year. Those destinations where
buyers expected to hold events in the next year were headed
by Dubai followed by Abu Dhabi, Egypt, Morocco, Oman and
Jordan.The mean
expenditure for events in the region dropped slightly to
US$495,400 from US$505,000 in 2009. Thirty-five percent
had seen budgets for the region increase, with 47 percent
saying they have remained as last year and 18 percent
seeing a decrease.In
terms of influencing factors when placing an event, buyers
put cost top of their list, followed by quality of
accommodation and service, overall appeal of the
destination, travel time and security.Overall, buyers are looking to the
coming year with optimism with 50 percent believing they
will organise more events. Budgets will remain under
pressure and with more destinations being considered for
events, Dubai's dominance is likely to be challenged. The
report also gathered responses from 72 suppliers with the
largest proportion from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Egypt, Qatar and
Saudi Arabia. Suppliers have experienced lower levels of
business in the region during 2009. Fifteen percent
reported that all their business took place in the
Gulf/Middle East whilst the remaining 85 percent saw an
average percentage of 12 percent of business reduced from
28% in the previous year. Most clients came from the
pharmaceutical, medical and financial services sectors,
with less this year from construction and engineering. The
mean value of business in the region was US$966,000, down
from US$1,030,350 last year, though 8% reported that the
value of their business was over US$10,000,000. Topping the
table of influencing factors to hold events were location,
cost, quality of accommodation and meeting
facilitiesOverall,
suppliers are looking to 2010 with increased confidence,
predicting increased volume of events.Despite concerns over budgets, 58
percent of suppliers believe that the region has the most
growth potential as compared to anywhere else in the
world."We have had a
very positive response to the survey with 458 buyer
respondents contributing this year, the largest number
since the survey began," Sally Greenhill, managing
director, The Right Solution Limited who compiled and
independently analysed the report, said. "Clearly 2009 saw
a downturn in the region, however it was lower than that
experienced in Europe and elsewhere. According to the
predictions made by buyers, this year will see the region
bounce back with increased numbers of events using a wider
range of destinations. Overall, suppliers predict that the
region has significant growth potential." Research for the
report was undertaken by GIBTM, in conjunction with meetme
during January and February 2010. The full report can be
found at www.gibtm.com.