The organisers of the Arabian Travel Market 2024 (ATM) along with representatives from the exhibition’s strategic partners, including the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), Emirates, IHG Hotels & Resorts, and Al Rais Travel, have revealed their plans for the upcoming event. The event will take place from Monday, May 6, to Thursday, May 9, 2024, at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).
Due to unfavorable weather conditions and concerns for the safety of all participants and invited guests, the official ATM press conference, which was scheduled for yesterday morning, had to be cancelled. Nonetheless, all partners have expressed their unwavering commitment to the show and the opportunities it offers.
Read more: ATM 2024 in Dubai set to double footfall of Chinese visitors
The 31st edition of ATM is set to welcome more than 2,300 exhibitors and representatives from over 165 countries. With a focus on the theme “Empowering Innovation: Transforming Travel Through Entrepreneurship,” the event aims to shed light on a crucial aspect of the travel and tourism industry. It anticipates approximately 41,000 attendees and will showcase the contributions of both startups and established brands in enhancing customer experiences, driving operational efficiency, and propelling the industry towards a sustainable, net-zero future.
Addressing emerging trends on the global stage
Danielle Curtis, exhibition director ME, Arabian Travel Market added: “ATM 2024 is gearing up for an exciting lineup spread across two stages, with the Global Stage returning alongside the new Future Stage. The conference agenda will feature key industry speakers from around the world and address the emerging trends that are fueling the travel and tourism sector’s growth.”
Curtis added: “An eagerly awaited addition to ATM 2024 is the new Entrepreneurship-focused summit, which will delve into the role of travel start-ups in the Middle East economy, spotlighting their pioneering approaches. As entrepreneurship and innovation take centre stage, the exciting ATM Start-Up Pitch Battle, in partnership with Emirates Group’s Intelak provides the perfect platform to celebrate the immense potential for innovators in the region and for brands to present their industry solutions.”
Growing participation of hotel brands
ATM 2024 has witnessed a notable increase in the number of participating hotel brands, showing a year-on-year growth of 21 percent. Additionally, there has been a significant surge of 58 percent in the introduction of new Travel Technology products at the event. This year, ATM will introduce several new destinations, including China, Macao, Kenya, Guatemala, and Colombia. Moreover, countries like Spain and France will be returning to the event, among others.
Across all key verticals, there has been an upturn in participation from various regions. The Middle East has experienced a 28 percent year-on-year growth, while Asia and Europe have seen a substantial increase of 34 percent. Similarly, Africa has witnessed a participation growth of 26 percent.
On the opening day of ATM, there will be a dedicated India Summit that emphasizes the recent surge in outbound travel from the Indian market. The summit, titled ‘Unlocking the True Potential of Inbound Indian Travelers,’ aims to explore the dynamics of India as a prominent source market for tourism growth. It will also delve into current and future opportunities in this regard.
Transformative theme and pathways to growth
His Excellency Issam Kazim, CEO, Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), said: “As the host city of ATM, Dubai is proud to continue its long-term strategic partnership with this globally renowned travel event, aligned with the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33 launched by our visionary leadership to further consolidate Dubai’s position as one of the top three global cities for business and leisure. The transformative theme of ATM 2024 will complement our efforts to create new pathways to growth beyond traditional tourism, as we focus on leveraging the huge potential of entrepreneurship and further accelerating momentum across our tourism industry. The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism will be joined by 129 stakeholders and partners on the Dubai stand at ATM, a testament to the vibrant public-private partnerships that play a pivotal role in tourism development in the emirate.
Kazim added, “We look forward to sharing insights into our successful tourism strategy with leaders and experts, and exploring the important themes and trends shaping the future of global tourism, while seeking to unlock new avenues for collaboration and partnership.”
Environmental responsibility in the travel and tourism industry will continue to be a key focus at ATM, aligning with RX’s sustainability pledge and building on the momentum of last year’s theme, ‘Working Towards Net Zero’. ATM 2024 will explore how innovation can be leveraged to help achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by building a greener travel and tourism sector for future generations.
Growing visitor numbers, industry confidence
Adnan Kazim, deputy president and chief commercial officer at Emirates, said: “We’re thrilled to see growth in visitor numbers to ATM. It’s a reflection of confidence in our industry and ATM’s importance on the global stage. We are proud of the role we have played in the growth of ATM as an industry event, as well as the growth of our home city Dubai, which is at the forefront of global tourism. This year, Emirates will be displaying our latest products in addition to a dedicated area showcasing our sustainable aviation practices. We also look forward to connecting with our industry partners across the travel ecosystem.”
Showcasing diverse accommodation portfolio
Haitham Mattar, managing director of IHG Hotels & Resorts for SWA, Middle East and Africa, added: “In continuing IHG Hotels & Resorts’ long-standing partnership as the official hotel partner for Arabian Travel Market, we look forward to leveraging the region’s legacy travel trade event to showcase the group’s diverse portfolio of accommodations to global industry and consumer audiences. With over 190 hotels across IMEA, as well as a robust regional pipeline of future openings, IHG remains a critical enabler in realising the region’s growth ambitions in the tourism sector. In a world of evolving preferences and shifting landscapes, IHG remains committed to exploring new and innovative ways to scale-up strategic investments and reshaping the hospitality sector of tomorrow.”
Celebrating innovation and entrepreneurship
Mohamed Al Rais, executive director, Al Rais Travel, also added: “Celebrating the fusion of innovation and entrepreneurship, the Arabian Travel Market 2024 stands as a beacon of progress and possibility in travel. With a steadfast commitment to empowerment, we harness visionary minds’ creative energy to redefine the essence of exploration. Through groundbreaking initiatives and bold ventures, we pave the way for a future where travel knows no limits, and every journey is a testament to the transformative power of human ingenuity. Join us as we embark on this exhilarating expedition, charting new territories and shaping a world where adventure knows no bounds.”
ATM 2024, organized in conjuction with Dubai World Trade Centre, has enlisted strategic partners for the event. These partners include the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), serving as the Destination Partner; Emirates, designated as the Official Airline Partner; IHG Hotels & Resorts, appointed as the Official Hotel Partner; and Al Rais Travel, selected as the Official DMC Partner.
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