Top Mideast travel expo opens in Dubai; draws record crowd
DUBAI, May 1, 2023
Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2023, the region's leading travel expo, opened its doors today (May 1) in Dubai drawing some of the biggest players in global travel, tourism, and hospitality sector as well as over 2,000 exhibitors and representatives from more than 150 countries.
This year’s conference, taking place in collaboration with the emirate’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), will once again form a central component of the UAE’s annual Arabian Travel Week.
It was inaugurated by Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai, who was accompanied by Vasyl Zhygalo, Portfolio Director, RX Global; Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director Middle East, ATM; and a host of other VIPs who embarked on a tour of the show.
In line with its theme, ‘Working Towards Net Zero’, ATM 2023 will, over the next three days, see participants forge new connections, share knowledge and showcase innovations with the potential to expedite the global travel sector’s journey towards decarbonisation, said the organisers.
These firms will be showcasing their key solutions in front of 34,000 attendees, it stated.
On the opening day, a selection of regional policymakers will take to the ATM Global Stage to explore the sector’s role in addressing climate change.
‘Ministerial Debate: How Should Travel Tackle the Climate Crisis?’ will feature insights from Sujit Mohanty, Chief of the UNDRR Regional Office for Arab States; Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy; Dr Abed Al Razzaq Arabiyat, Managing Director, Jordan Tourism Board; and Walid Nassar, Lebanon’s Minister of Tourism.
Claire Bennett, Global Chief Customer Officer at IHG Hotels & Resorts, will participate in an in-depth interview on the ATM Travel Tech Stage, said the organisers in a statement.
The travel expo's brand-new Sustainability Hub will host the ‘Sustainability in the Air – Live Podcast Session’, which will see Shashank Nigam, Founder & CEO of SimpliFlying, engage in conversation with Shaenaz Voss, CCO of Fiji Airways and CEO of Fiji Link.
The other day-one highlights include ‘Hospitality Debate: What More Can Big Data Unlock’, which will see representatives from the Global Hotel Alliance, General Hotel Management, Marriott and Hotelbeds take to the ATM Travel Tech Stage to discuss how technological advances are facilitating a better understanding of guest behaviours.
Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said: "ATM 2023 will provide a platform for a diverse array of public and private-sector speakers, all of whom will offer expert insights into sustainable travel trends, responsible tourism and a host of other industry-critical issues."
"Our opening session, for instance, will see policymakers take to the ATM Global Stage for a ministerial debate on how travel can tackle the climate crisis," she added.
Meanwhile, at the Sustainability Hub, senior figures from Weeva, the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance (SHA), My Green Butler, Tourism Seychelles, Radisson RED and RHG will explore sustainable transformation as part of the session, ‘Responsible Hospitality for a Better World’, stated the organisers.
Exhibitor participation in this year's event has risen by 27% compared to 2022, with growth registered across all show sectors.
To mark its 30th edition, ATM will be unveiling a dedicated sustainability pledge designed to reinforce RX’s commitment to delivering sustainable events through the use of environmentally friendly materials, the elimination of single-use plastics and other forward-thinking initiatives.
This year’s show will also feature the inaugural ‘ATM Sustainable Stand Award’, the results of which will be announced as part of the ATM 2023 Best Stand Awards.
In addition to the ATM Global Stage, the ATM Travel Tech Stage and the brand-new Sustainability Hub, this year’s show will see the return of the International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) Arabia, which will explore trends and opportunities within the burgeoning field of high-end tourism, stated the organisers.
There will also be sessions from the International Tourism & Investment Conference (ITIC), the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) and the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA).
With a wide array of other must-attend events on the agenda, including sessions focused on the key markets of India, China and the GCC, plus a new informal speed networking platform, ATM 2023 will offer something to suit every specialism and interest, not to mention unparalleled networking and knowledge-sharing opportunities.
The 30th edition of ATM will explore the future of sustainable travel in line with its theme, ‘Working Towards Net Zero’.
Having officially initiated its journey to net zero, the conference programme will explore how innovative sustainable travel trends are likely to evolve, allowing delegates to identify growth strategies within key vertical sectors while providing a platform for regional experts to explore a sustainable future ahead of COP28, which will take place in November 2023 at Expo City Dubai.-TradeArabia News Service
