"The 2008 edition of 'Gulf Incentive, Business Travel & Meetings Exhibition' (GIBTM) is attracting more companies compared to last year's exhibition," said Mubarak Hamad Al Muhairi, director general of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA).

He said :"The number of international companies participating in the event has increased this year, the fact that led the authority to raise exhibition spaces."

"More than 1500 major actors from the incentive tourism sector are expected to visit the exhibition in addition to the presence of more than 250 senior officials of companies operating in this sector and already taking part in the exhibition," said Al Muhairi.

He said that some 4000 meetings are expected to be held during the exhibition to conclude transactions or to agree in principle to  such transactions. "We also expect that many companies from about 40 countries will sign transactions during the event, which will enhance the role of the exhibition as an umbrella bringing together clients and service providers in an encouraging and competitive investment environment".

Mubarak Hamad Al Muhairi, director general of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), outlined the interest the authority and its partners take to the success of this second GIBTM Exhibition, pointing out that this approach is consistent with the plans of the authority to support and promote the tourism sector and to provide the requirements of tourism-related activities, notably infrastructure and services exhibitions, conferences, meetings and businesses along with travel, hospitality and entertainment services, which make the experience of visitors and investors involved in the tourism sector productive and encouraging.