May 07--DUBAI -- Dubai will become an even more attractive place to live and visit, with an enhanced position as a global hub for trade, commerce and tourism, said Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman and CEO of Emirates airline and Group, at the opening seminar '20 Years: Then, Now, Tomorrow' at the 20th edition of the Arabian Travel Market, which kicked off on Monday, with the robust presence of over 87 countries.

"Dubai will see visitors, exceeding 20 million, than what was announced earlier. We are doing more of what we see now with a bigger vision in the tourism [industry]," Shaikh Ahmed told .

In his keynote address, he said: "Back in 1993, Emirates airline was still largely in its infancy, although already making a mark with its innovations. That year, Emirates was the first carrier to introduce telecommunications on an Airbus -- in all three classes. Nowadays, Emirates offers showers at 43,000 feet, more than 1,400 channels of in-flight entertainment and WiFi."

He said the airline flies to more than 130 destinations across six continents. "Dubai has made equally impressive strides over the past two decades."

Last year, the emirate welcomed more than 10 million visitors for the first time in its history, including an increasing number of cruise passengers. This landmark figure is a strong endorsement of Dubai's destination management strategy, its infrastructure and location at the crossroads of east and west.

The 2012 figures also showed the number of Dubai hotel establishments increased from 575 to just under 600 during the year, a remarkable inventory of accommodation spanning all budgets.

"As Dubai powers down the road of development, Dubai International is rapidly becoming the world's leading airport. The facility was recently confirmed as the world's second busiest airport for international passenger traffic, overtaking Paris' Charles de Gaulle for the first time. And with the opening of Concourse A, the world's first purpose built A380 concourse, Dubai can legitimately claim the title of the world's A380 capital. At the same time, operations at the gigantic Dubai World Central are ramping up and passenger flights start in October," added Shaikh Ahmed.

Researchers estimate that the aviation industry supports over 250,000 jobs and contributes over $22 billion to Dubai's GDP. This represents around 19 per cent of total employment in Dubai, and 28 per cent of Dubai's GDP.

"As we mark the 20th anniversary of ATM, we recognise that the event has played a significant role in the development of Dubai."

"We eagerly await November when Dubai will find out if it is to host the 2020 Expo. What an extraordinary achievement this would be," he concluded.

The opening seminar also had a panel of other speakers including Helal Saeed Almarri, director-general, DTCM and DWTC; Marwan Al Sarkal, CEO, Sharjah Investment and Development Authority; Iain Andrew, divisional senior vice-president, dnata; Thierry Antinori, executive vice-president, passenger sales worldwide, Emirates airline; Gerald Lawless, president and group CEO, Jumeirah Group; and Mark Walsh, portfolio director, Reed Travel Exhibitions.

"Dubai has the best airlines, airports, hotels and services and hence people treat this place as a global trade hub. Currently the economic indicators as well as tourism indicators are moving up and are in the process of registering double digit growth," said Almarri.

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(c)2013 the Khaleej Times (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

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