BACKPACKERS in the UK are poised to tramp around a whole new world.

They're re-writing their traditional itineraries, replacing them with locations more regularly associated with five and even seven-star sheer unadulterated luxury lodging.

The demand for adventure and trekking packages is rocketing in Oman and the United Arab Emirates, including Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

This development comes in tandem with the emergence of budget accommodation and travel in the Middle East making the region a multi-faceted success story.

Package sales will go up by an average 14 and 17% from 2007-12, according to this year's WTM Global Trends Report 2008 in association with global market intelligence firm Euromonitor International. World Travel Market is in London from November 10-13.

The reason for this switch in direction for the stooped shoulder brigade is driven by the presence of an increasingly young population of UK expatriates in the Middle East. Plus an audience of adventurous Western travellers.

The expats are realising they are on the doorstop of destinations such as Oman and Yemen that have rich and fascinating eco-systems to explore.

Oman's arrivals will be propelled from 1.8 million last year to more than six million in four years' time.

"Governments and tourism authorities in the region should start promoting the untapped adventure and eco-tourism destinations among suppliers and travel agents, " said Fiona Jeffery, chairman of World Travel Market. "There are many more in UAE, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria and even Bahrain."

Low-cost airlines and environmentally-friendly budget hotels, youth hostels and motels all add to the potentially lucrative market. The pool of expatriates across the thriving Gulf nations multiplies five per cent annually. They have disposable income and travel and tourism increases simultaneously. More than 80 per cent of the UAE's three million population is made up of expatriates. "That means a possible two million are likely to travel once a year. People take short breaks, return home for a spell, satisfy their curiosity about seeing other parts of the Middle East and this has all played a part in the incredible and exciting tourism upsurge over the past decade", said Jeffery. Euromonitor International reveals that the outbound tourism spend of nearly US$6billion in the UAE is the highest in the region. Business is prospering both ways. Billions have been invested and that has yielded exciting results with, for instance, the UAE tripling its international arrivals to almost nine million this year, with UK visitors top of the list on 1.1m.

The report says that budget travel is likely to become a target for mass marketing. Tastes are showing signs of experiment and weekend breaks are catching on. Commenting on the report's findings, Caroline Bremner, Head of Travel and Tourism Research at Euromonitor International said, "The current trends resonating with travellers across all regions include the desire for environmental responsibility, social interaction, authentic travel experiences and fair trade practices. In the current economic climate, those companies that adapt and integrate such business practices into their offering will be best placed for survival". Some expatriates, facing rising inflation, are exhibiting reluctance to travel too far for short periods or spend too much.

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NOTES TO EDITORS World Travel Market - New Admissions Policy World Travel Market (WTM), the global trade event for the travel industry announces a new admission policy, designed to benefit both exhibitors and visitors alike. The new WTM policy includes changes to the structure of the daily format, with WTM Opening Day on Monday 10 November, open to Exhibitors, Exhibitor Invitees, Ministers, and press. The following three days, Tuesday 11 November - Thursday 13 November, will be accessible to all Meridian Club members, Travel Trade professionals, Ministers and press, giving participants more flexibility to choose the days they wish to visit the exhibition.

Students will be invited to attend WTM on Wednesday 12 November and Thursday 13 November, where they will participate in a structured education programme. Individuals from the retail arm of the travel industry including travel agents, homeworkers and call centre staff will be invited to attend WTM on Thursday 13 November.

WTM remains a trade only exhibition. A full programme of conferences, seminars, B2B meetings, and industry initiatives will run across three days, Tuesday 11 November - Thursday 13 November and includes the UNWTO Minister's Summit, WTM World Responsible Tourism Day (WTM WRTD), along with a number of new initiatives on Thursday 13 November, such as an extended Responsible Tourism programme and exhibitor to exhibitor networking initiatives.

For further details visit www.wtmlondon.com

Reed Exhibitions Reed Exhibitions is the world's leading events organiser. In 2007 Reed brought together over six million industry professionals from around the world generating billions of dollars in business.

Today Reed events are held in 38 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific, and organised by 39 fully staffed offices. Reed organises a wide range of events, including exhibitions, conferences, congresses and meetings. Its portfolio of over 500 events serves 47 industry sectors, including: Aerospace & aviation, automobiles, building & construction, electronics, energy, engineering, entertainment, environment, food & hospitality, gifts, healthcare, IT, jewellery, life sciences & pharmaceuticals, property, manufacturing, medical education, packaging & converting, printing & visual communication, security, sports & recreation, travel.

For further information please contact the WTM Press Office on +44 (0) 207 069 6119/6120 or visit the WTM International Press Centre onsite at ExCeL London, Level 3.

After 13 November, for further information please email katy.kenyon@reedexpo.co.uk