(Dubai, United Arab Emirates) In response to the rapidly growing tourism industry in the Middle East, TravMedia (www.travmedia.com), the world's leading travel news portal for travel industry professionals, has been launched. The headquarters of TravMedia?s first Middle East office is located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. This represents the 7th worldwide office for TravMedia, established in 2000 as a service for travel journalists to receive breaking travel news and for travel industry marketing professionals to distribute their organizations? news, images and information. TravMedia distributes breaking travel news directly to subscribing journalists, tailored to their industry preferences. Journalists also control the frequency of their e-mail alerts, from hourly news to weekly round-ups. The site features high-resolution photography of the world?s best travel destinations, travel company information, public relations contacts and more, all at no cost to journalists. Currently, there are more than 10,000 journalists registered with TravMedia. Already considered a tool of the trade in the United Kingdom, United States, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, TravMedia was created in 2000 by Aussie native and former travel writer, Nick Wayland, who wrote for the Age, the Sun Herald and Courier Newspaper Group. Travel companies posting news on TravMedia represent a broad cross-section of the industry: airlines, cruising, hotels, car hire, tour operators, tourism boards, theme parks and more. ?The Middle East represents natural expansion for TravMedia and makes complete sense given the rapid growth in the tourism sector and the ongoing demand for high-quality travel reporting in the media. Dubai is a travel-centric destination reliant on international publicity to maintain its position as a destination of choice,? said Sharon Garrett, Managing Director, TravMedia Middle East. ?In 2008 when several new hotels enter the playing field in Dubai the race will be on to increase publicity and brand awareness like never before. It will become as crucial as ever to have good contacts and reach the right media, not just locally but in key feeder markets. I am confident TravMedia will find its way into many of the region?s travel PR offices and our team's collective experience will ensure the continued development of useful tools, enhancements and services for travel industry professionals and journalists alike.? Sharon Garrett has more than 12 years experience providing marketing and public relations services to the international hotel industry and supporting the needs of the media. With five years experience in the Middle East, freelance travel writing and presenting a weekly radio show on Dubai Eye 103.8FM, she has a strong understanding of the expectations of both the industry and the media. ?We are bringing the same level of connectivity to the Middle East travel industry as we have in other parts of the world,? said Nick Wayland, CEO and Founder of TravMedia. ?The opening of our 6th region, Dubai, will allow us to not only to distribute breaking news immediately to travel journalists, but it will also help our international members plan and execute meaningful campaigns targeting the Middle East.? TravMedia's expansion plans include further launches in Germany, China, South America and South Africa in 2007/8. To contact TravMedia in Dubai, please email sharon.garrett@travmedia.com or visit www.travmedia.com. - ENDS - Notes for the Editor Images of Sharon Garrett are available to support this story. ABOUT TRAVMEDIA.COM TravMedia?s international news distribution service provides journalists with the latest press releases from travel companies and organizations worldwide with access to images, company profiles and archive releases, PR contacts, online research tools and much more. For travel companies, organizations and PR agencies, TravMedia offers one complete communications channel to reach their target media and build communities throughout the world. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Sharon Garrett, Managing Director TravMedia Middle East sharon.garrett@travmedia.com + 9715 0 550 5486