Dubai: Large-scale UAE tourism projects were on display as the region's biggest travel industry show Arabian Travel Market (ATM) opened in Dubai yesterday.

Airlines, tourism organisations, hotels and tour operators are among some 2,600 participants from 64 countries at the four-day event, which was opened by Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, president of the Department of Civil Aviation and chairman and chief executive of Emirates airline and Group.

Many companies used the event to announce their tourism-related projects, while countries showcased their holiday attractions to boost visitor numbers.

"Our aim is to raise awareness of Japan as a luxury leisure destination," said Yuji Osada of the Japan Association of Travel Agents.

Participation at this year's ATM has grown 24 per cent, said Tom Nutley, chairman of Reed Travel Exhibitions, the show's organiser.

There are 116 new exhibitor companies from 34 countries. First-time participants include China, Croatia, Macau, Palestine, Peru, Swaziland, Taiwan and Zimbabwe. "This exhibition is definitely going to continue on a growth pattern. It could well double in size by 2012," said Shaikh Ahmad.

The UAE and other Gulf countries are developing multi-billion dollar tourism projects to diversify their economies.

Dubai has put up its mega projects on show. These include Dubailand, The World and Palm Islands. Nakheel, the company behind The Palm Islands and other waterfront developments, announced it will develop a 1,800-seat theatre on The Palm Jumeirah.

The two companies have signed an initial 15-year deal with the new show expected to open during the last quarter of 2010.

Abu Dhabi showcased its Desert Islands and the Cultural District of Saadiyat Island.

Tatweer, a member of Dubai Holding, featured its four big projects - Dubailand, The Tiger Woods Dubai, Global Village, Bawadi and the recently launched Universal City Dubailand. Saeed Al Muntafiq, chairman of the board of Tatweer, said: "The Dubai strategy is clearly focused on family tourism. That is the biggest segment for us."