The four-day event featuring talks and presentations about upcoming travel trends and goals at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) wrapped up yesterday.
Held at the Dubai World Trade Centre, the Middle East’s premier travel and hospitality trade show likely saw an all-time high attendance, surpassing the previous count of 46,000 attendees from the prior year.
Travel agencies, airlines, hotels, and technology suppliers worldwide, along with ministers, business leaders, and startup founders, were present at the event.
This is what the specialists predict will be ahead for global travel in the coming years.
At the heart of the travel sector lies connectivity.
The 32nd edition of ATM featured a wide array of panel discussions, networking activities, and exhibits covering industries ranging from air travel to lodging.
wellness
, hospitality along with MICE events (meetings, incentives, conventions, and trade shows).
The theme for this year, “Global Travel: Enhancing Future Tourism Through Improved Connectivity,” established the direction for a program centered around how the sector can adjust to evolving preferences.
Jonathan Hesty, who serves as the portfolio director for RX Global—the organizer of—
ATM
, stated that connectivity is “extremely important for all of us, not only for organizations and destinations, but also as travelers.”
“A connected industry enables individuals to travel across the globe, exploring new destinations they might not have visited previously and learning about different cultures,” he mentioned additionally.
Industry-wise, this provides an opportunity for individuals to reach out to potential clients and enable newcomers to enjoy the attractions showcased at ATM this week.
Sustainability serves as a foundational pillar for the tourism industry.
A major theme for the week was sustainability, a concept Hesty referred to as the “bedrock of our content strategy.”
The sessions addressed various facets of eco-friendly travel, encompassing regeneration and
responsible tourism
, food waste within the hospitality sector, and strategies for establishing a circular economy aimed at reducing the carbon footprint of this industry.
“We’re thrilled to offer an environment where the sector can discuss these issues, exchange ideas, and develop plans to minimize the carbon footprint of our industry,” stated Hesty.
A representative from Dubai Holding Entertainment, overseeing several of Dubai’s most recognizable landmarks and family-oriented venues, emphasized that sustainability is “an extremely vital component of our organization.”
“We possess properties where we provide family-oriented experiences, and we feel strongly that it’s crucial to educate younger generations about
sustainability
,” the spokesperson said.
We offer specialized programs focused on energy conservation and waste management. Our standout feature is the incredible attraction known as Green Planet, which revolves around themes of nature and sustainability.
For Cristian Stanicic, who serves as the general director of the Croatian National Tourist Board, sustainable tourism encompasses considerations related to tourist volumes.
“We aim to concentrate more on lesser-known tourist spots and smaller travel destinations,” he stated.
We aim to expand our tourist season into the shoulder periods before and after the main season, rather than focusing solely on summertime, as we wish to steer clear of the overcrowding issues observed in other Mediterranean nations.
Innovation is reshaping the way we travel.
Tech innovations were emphasized as a crucial method for transforming the visitor experience.
The CEO of the hotel marketing firm Mirai, Mohamed Abdallah Al-Zaabi, stated
AI
lies at the heart of their development strategy for their destinations Yas Island and Saadiyat in Abu Dhabi.
“One of our primary objectives at Yas Island and Saadiyat is to craft a distinctive and engaging environment for our patrons,” he stated.
“We use
big data
And using machine learning to gain deeper insights into customer behavior, improve our analysis of current data, collect more information, and then create personalized and novel experiences accordingly.”
In a similar vein, Dubai Holding Entertainment emphasized that technology plays a crucial role in understanding customer preferences.
The team leverages artificial intelligence to discern the types of novel experiences families desire, and consequently, where they should allocate their resources.
Journeying that is available to all
Discussions also centred around accessibility within the travel sector. Asam Kalbham, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, talked about how Dubai is ensuring inclusivity.
DXB International Airport operates under an open skies policy, he stated, collaborating with airlines that prioritize
accessibility
.
“I’m thrilled to announce that we’ve recently received certification as the first autism-friendly destination in the Eastern Hemisphere,” he added.
And both Emirates Airlines and Dubai Airport, along with DXP International, Expo City, and various other facilities, have received the necessary certifications.
Kalbham stressed that ” accessibility for us means ensuring that each individual from around the globe and all societal backgrounds can appreciate what Dubai has to offer.”
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