Sri Lankan leisure sector participants expressed satisfaction on the positive response they received from travel agents and tour operators at the Arabian Travel Market.

Over 50 companies from Sri Lanka are representing the ATM and the stake holders also praised the Sri Lankan stand and arrangements put together by both Sri Lanka Tourism and the Embassy in UAE.

Dubai’s goal of doubling the 10 million visitors welcomed in 2012 to 20 million by 2020 is the collective responsibility of all industry stakeholders, was the message shared at the launch session of the ATM 2014 seminar series, which opened yesterday at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. Meanwhile UAE-based hospitality group, TIME Hotels that it has launched the Middle East’s first carbon offset accommodation at two of its hotels in Dubai. It’s part of the company’s drive to reduce greenhouse gas emissions for a more sustainable future, which TIME Hotels is showcasing at this year’s Arabian Travel Market.

Meanwhile CEO and board member of Gulf Hotels, Aqeel Raees, today announced at Arabian Travel Market that the Bahrain-based hospitality group has acquired land for the construction of a five-star, 230-room hotel in Business Bay, Dubai, that will open in 2017. “We are also sourcing a second site in Dubai and currently considering a number of prime locations,” he added.

Source: http://www.dailynews.lk/?q=business/lankan-leisure-sector-positive-atm-response