The 31st edition of the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2024 in Dubai, UAE, concluded today, May 9, with more than 46,000 industry professionals attending from over 160 countries.
Among the attendees were 33,500 visitors, marking a 15 percent increase compared to the previous year’s landmark 30th edition.
This record-breaking number highlights the resilience and momentum of the global travel and tourism sector.
The event, held at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), brought together over 2,600 exhibitors who explored the factors driving industry growth and sought out future opportunities in the global tourism sector, aligning with ATM 2024’s theme of ‘Empowering Innovation: Transforming Travel Through Entrepreneurship’.
Danielle Curtis, exhibition director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said: “My colleagues and I are delighted that so many industry professionals from around the world were able to join us in Dubai to explore how innovation and entrepreneurship are shaping a more efficient, profitable and sustainable tourism sector for future generations. We are thrilled to have set a new show record, underscoring our position as the travel and tourism exhibition of choice as we continue to drive global growth within the industry.”
Major transport, tourism projects approved
ATM 2024 welcomed His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, who chaired a meeting of The Executive Council during the show. H.H. Sheikh Hamdan approved a series of major transport and tourism-related projects in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
During this year’s opening session, policymakers from various Gulf nations came together to discuss the collaborative efforts aimed at enhancing the tourism offerings of the GCC. Following the opening remarks by H.E. Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, UAE minister of Economy, a panel discussion took place where H.E. Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, chairman of the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority; H.E. Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO of the Saudi Tourism Authority; H.E. Azzan Al Busaidi, undersecretary of Tourism at the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism in Oman; and H.E. Sarah Buhijji, CEO of the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority, provided valuable insights.
Unlocking the true potential of Indian travellers
The session titled ‘Unlocking the True Potential of Indian Travellers’ featured experts in the Indian outbound market who shared valuable insights. Virendra Jain, CEO and co-founder of VIDEC, a boutique advisory and analytics firm specializing in travel, tourism, and hospitality, discussed market opportunity assessments, channel and distribution analysis, characteristics and behaviors of Indian travelers, and projected trends in the market’s outbound travel for the next decade.
In the session titled ‘Looking Skyward for Innovation: How Technology is Disrupting Aviation,’ panelists discussed predictions for the future of air travel and underlined the importance of innovation in accommodating the substantial growth in air traffic. The session, moderated by travel expert Mark Frary, featured insights from Cirium, IATA, AviationXLab, and Riyadh Air.
Connecting travel and hospitality with fashion, beauty, and retail
InterLnkd emerged as the winner of the third ATM Start-up Pitch Battle, in association with Intelak, beating strong competition. The U.K.-based company utilizes specific data points and an intelligent matching engine to connect the travel and hospitality sectors with the fashion, beauty, and retail industries.
Experience Abu Dhabi was awarded the Best Stand Design (over 150m2) at ATM 2024. The tourism authority’s exhibition space received praise from an independent panel of judges for its seamless design, innovative use of greenery, and excellent visibility from the show floor. Other winners of the Best Stand Design Award included AlUla, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, ExploreTECH, flydubai, Qiddiya Investment Company, and the Saudi Tourism Authority.
Held in conjunction with Dubai World Trade Centre, ATM 2024’s strategic partners included Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) as Destination Partner, Emirates as Official Airline Partner, IHG Hotels & Resorts as Official Hotel Partner, and Al Rais Travel as Official DMC Partner.
Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025 will take place from 28 April to 1 May.
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