BaselWorld — the world’s most important watch and jewelry show — opened its doors again this year to exhibit the most luxurious and prestigious brands to the pleasure of watch and jewelry enthusiasts. While 2008’s show broke all record figures with 106,000 visitors, the current financial crisis has decreased attendance numbers. This year’s show had “at least 20 to 30 percent less people,” says Barkev Atamian, business manager at Ets. Hagop Atamian, one of the leading watch distributors in Lebanon. Fewer Visitors Actually, only 12 percent less people visited this year’s BaselWorld. In precise numbers, there were 93,000 visitors and 1,952 exhibitors present. Exactly 2,973 accredited journalists were also present at the show to find out what the other 95,000 people were talking about, according to the Swiss Exhibitors Committee. Certainly, exhibitors would have preferred to see the number of visitors exceed the 100,000 mark. But in current conditions, an
