Record-breaking edition of ATM opens in Dubai; focus on innovation
DUBAI, May 6, 2024
Arabian Travel Market (ATM), the leading global event for the travel and tourism sector, opened its doors today (May 6) in Dubai for its 31st edition, welcoming over 2,300 exhibitors from 165 countries across the globe along with 41,000 attendees.
This year, ATM is centred on the theme ‘Empowering Innovation – Transforming Travel through Entrepreneurship’, spotlighting the pivotal role of start-ups and entrepreneurs in shaping the sector’s future, said the organisers.
This focus will provide a platform for industry leaders and policymakers worldwide to empower the travel and tourism community to harness entrepreneurism and identify opportunities for growth.
It was inaugurated by Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA), Chairman of Dubai Airports, and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group.
This year’s edition of ATM will mark the event’s largest to date. Having launched in 1994 with 300 exhibitors and 7,000 trade visitors, ATM has now established itself as a globally renowned event integrating all travel sectors and verticals, from MICE to leisure and luxury hospitality, to corporate travel, said the organisers.
Exhibitor participation has increased by 26% this year, with growth recorded across all event verticals, they stated.
During the opening, Sheikh Ahmed said that the massive interest generated amongst ATM 2024 attendees reaffirms Dubai’s standing as a major destination for tourism and travel in the region, highlighting its role in shaping the future of the industry by bringing together leaders of allied sectors from around the world.
He later toured various pavilions at the exhibition accompanied by several senior officials including Adullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy; Hilal Saeed Al Marri, Director General of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism ; Danielle Curtis, Director of the Arabian Travel Market in the Middle East.
A four-day conference programme will deliver over 50 informative sessions from more than 200 high-profile speakers who will address attendees across the Global Stage and the new Future Stage.
The opening day featured 12 sessions across the Global and Future stages. Highlights of the day include the Global Stage Welcome: The Gateway to Global Insights keynote speech from Issam Abdulrahim Kazim, the CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, and the Ministerial Debate: Streamlining Tourism within the GCC. The Market Insights Summit will also mark four days of focused deliberations at ATM, with entrepreneurship, luxury and sustainability rounding out ATM’s summit programme this week.
ATM will also host the Market Insights Summit on the Global Stage on opening day, exploring the potential of China, India and Latin America as they emerge as key players in global tourism.
The panel for the Summit includes Basmah Al-Mayman, Regional Director for the Middle East, UN Tourism; Guy Hutchinson, President, Middle East & Africa, Hilton; Julia Simpson, CEO & President, World Travel and Tourism Council; and Jan Gerrit Koechling, Partner, Roland Berger.
Looking ahead to Day Two, the most impactful trends in travel technology will be discussed at the Beyond the Hype: Demystifying 2024 Travel Tech Trends session on the Future Stage.
The Global Stage will, in the meantime, gather aviation experts from IATA, Riyadh Air, AviationXLab and Cirium to explore How Technology is Disrupting Aviation followed by a session on Navigating the Future of Air Travel with Paul Griffiths, CEO, Dubai Airports.
The Future Stage will officially launch tomorrow with a focus on the Trends Shaping the Future of Hospitality in the Middle East, led by senior representatives from IHG Hotels and Resorts, Marriot International, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Banyan Tree Dubai, Mastercard and Silkhaus.
Other sessions tomorrow on the Future Stage include The New Age of Island Tourism, which explores how islands in the Middle East are offering new opportunities for tourism, and the Global Economic Disruptions Affecting the Future of Travel session.
On the key event, Curtis said: "Following the unprecedented success of our 30th edition in 2023, exhibitor participation has increased by a remarkable 26% this year, making ATM 2024 the largest in the event’s history."
"This notable growth underscores ATM’s reputation as an unmissable event for the global travel and tourism community, offering unrivalled business and networking opportunities for attendees and exhibitors across a wide range of travel sectors and verticals," he added.
Growth has been achieved across all show verticals, including regional year-on-year upticks for the Middle East (28%), Asia (34%), Europe (34%) and Africa (26%).
In addition, more than 100 prominent travel technology companies will showcase their latest innovations to a global audience at this year's event. The Travel Tech section is 58% larger this year, indicating an unprecedented surge in interest from companies that want to display their latest technological advancements.
According to Curtis, ATM continues its commitment to sustainability for another year, building on the show’s main theme in 2023 and in keeping with its 30 long-term sustainability goals.
The Sustainability Summit on May 9 will explore Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations, consumer preferences, and the collaborative efforts required to create a more sustainable future for travel and tourism.
Meanwhile, the Sustainable Stand Award will recognise the exhibitor who has made outstanding efforts to reduce their stand's carbon footprint.
Travel Tech, the travel technology exhibition at ATM will continue through May 7, showcasing the innovative technologies driving the travel and hospitality sector and the Entrepreneurship Summit on May 7 will delve into the topic of Nurturing Travel and Tourism Entrepreneurship to Drive Economic Growth, along with exploring how Global Disruptions are Catalysts for Innovation.
ATM 2024 is part of Arabian Travel Week, a ten-day-long festival of travel and tourism events that take place in Dubai. In addition to ATM, other events that are part of Arabian Travel Week are the ATM Start-up competition, ATM Travel Tech, GBTA Business Travel Forums and Buyer Networking.-TradeArabia News Service
