Aviareps, a global representation leader providing international market growth opportunities to a portfolio of more than 100 airlines and 150 travel and tourism clients worldwide, is set to launch a series of 3D Virtual Tourism Roadshows in the Middle East for all destinations, hotels, Destination Management Companies (DMC’s), retail destinations and other tourism entities.  

 

The non-destination specific roadshows follow the success of the Aviareps 3D platform events which were held in June 2020 on behalf of the European Commission with Chinese travel professionals, and then in August, which was a dedicated 3D roadshow event held on the behalf of the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority with Saudi Arabian and GCC travel professionals. 

 

A total of 182 Middle East travel industry professionals joined the exhibition and had the opportunity to meet with 18 partners of the Mauritius Tourism Authority at that time. 

 

The Aviareps Virtual Travel Caravan 2020 will allow exhibitors to virtually meet outbound travel professionals and buyers from the markets of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain on October 21. This will be followed by a second edition on November 24, where travel buyers from the markets of the UAE, Oman, Lebanon and Jordan will be virtually present.

 

The unique 3D online platform will allow exhibitors such as tourism boards, hotels, tour operators and tourist attractions, to host their virtual stands and meet, interact and conduct meetings with potential tourism partners. Despite the platform being virtual, the experience is realistic enough to provide all exhibitors and participants with an immersive and engaging experience - just as they would in an actual exhibition. 

 

Each attendee to the exhibition will be able to create his/her own individualised avatar, which allows the visitor to ‘virtually’ navigate the exhibition space, with the option of reaching out to other individuals around them, as well as approaching each branded booth and stand of the exhibitors. At the stands, visitors will be able to automatically view the exhibitor’s promotional video, download their brochures, exchange business cards, as well as chat with the exhibitor, or hold a private online audio meeting that will be either pre-scheduled or held impromptu upon reaching out to the exhibitor at the fair.

 

Glenn Johnston, Vice President Middle East and Global Public Affairs at Aviareps, said: “Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic we were holding physical Aviareps Middle East Travel Caravans annually in the main cities of the Gulf countries. Since then the international travel and tourism economy has been facing its largest global challenge to date. It’s our fervent hope that through a platform such as this that all players in our global tourism industry can regenerate and expand their networks for recovery.”

 

The Royal Commission for AlUla in Saudi Arabia will be exhibiting as gold sponsor of the first Aviareps Travel Caravan event. Situated in the North West of Saudi Arabia and with over 200,000 years of human history, AlUla, an open-air museum of unprecedented historical and cultural significance, is set to launch as a year-round destination on October 30. With the opening of its Unesco World Heritage Sites of Hegra, the ancient kingdom of Dadan, and the whispering canyons of Jabal Ikmah, AlUla is poised to welcome visitors from across the globe with its world-class calendar of art and cultural events, as well as phenomenal nature, heritage and adventure experiences. 

 

Melanie De Souza, Executive Director, Destination Marketing at the Royal Commission for AlUla, said: “AlUla is a new and exciting premium destination for GCC travellers. By participating in the AVIAREPS Virtual Travel Caravan we look forward to connecting with the GCC’s leading tourism specialists just prior to our official launch. We especially look forward to discussing opportunities for long term collaborations whereby AlUla is positioned as an inspirational destination at the centre of new travel product development. We see AlUla as not only playing a leading role for regional travel recovery, but also as an aspirational destination that all travel agents and travellers alike would like to engage with, visit and discover.”

 

Other exhibitors appearing at the Aviareps Virtual Travel Caravan 2020 include the Malta Tourism Authority, Slovenia Tourist Board, Outlet City Metzingen, Lotte Hotels and Resorts, and more than 20 additional hotel and tour operator brands from various countries. – TradeArabia News Service