�China is one of the fastest growing economies in the world and for Gulf Air it is strategically important to launch direct services to this booming market," says Gulf Air Chief Executive Officer Bj�rn N�f. �We are delighted to be associated with the Asia Luxury Travel Market to promote our entry into the Chinese market, as we will be offering our sky beds and other award-winning in-flight services such as the Sky Nanny service to this new route, which is part of our expansion strategy to become the airline of choice.�

The timely addition to Gulf Air�s growing flight network underlines the importance the travel industry attaches to ALTM � which attracts the world�s luxury travel leaders to Shanghai.

�The launch of Gulf Air�s first direct flight to Shanghai is an event that we as an industry want to celebrate and support� says ALTM Event Director, Jay Martens.

�One of the true leaders and innovators in the aviation industry, Gulf Air�s choice to work alongside ALTM and speak directly to the top luxury agencies in the region is exactly what we have been advocating since the launch of the event: to create the platform that delivers a bespoke business experience for the luxury travel specialist targeting the Asia Pacific market. ALTM is delighted to step on board and celebrate this historic moment in the history of Gulf Air.�

Gulf Air operates scheduled services to over 40 destinations in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

The new service from Bahrain International Airport touches-down at Shanghai Pudong International Airport at the same time as ALTM celebrates record attendance.

Said Jeffrey Lim, General Manager China, Gulf Air; �I am truly delighted to be associated with such a prestigious event as ALTM, as it provides us with the perfect platform to showcase our brand new route between Bahrain and Shanghai which features four flights a week, with convenient onward connections to Europe and access to the largest network in the Middle-East. Ultimately, this event will allow Gulf Air to leverage its unique premium experience and communicate with a spectrum of savvy luxury travel buyers in the Asia Pacific region.�

Twice as many exhibitors are booked for this year�s event than at the inaugural ALTM in 2007 and the number of hosted travel buyers has also increased in line with the number of exhibitors.

For more information please visit the ALTM website www.altm.com.cn.

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Distributed on behalf of Asia Luxury Travel Market by Grebstad Hicks Communications *Note, high resolution images available upon request For media enquiries, contact Grebstad Hicks Communications, Tel: 852 � 2810 0532 In Hong Kong Amber Hinde amber.hinde@ghcasia.com Carol Kong carol.kong@ghcasia.com