Arabian Travel Market (ATM), a leading global event for the travel and tourism sector, has returned to the Dubai World Trade Centre this week for its 31st edition. Taking place from May 6 to May 9, over 41,000 attendees are expected to visit ATM 2024, which will feature 2,300 exhibitors from 165 countries.
This year, ATM is centred on the theme ‘Empowering Innovation – Transforming Travel through Entrepreneurship’, spotlighting the pivotal role of startups and entrepreneurs in shaping the sector’s future. 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.
Read | ATM 2024: Sustainability, startups and innovation in aviation sector on the agenda
The four-day 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.
Highlighting tourism goals
Issam Abdulrahim Kazim, Chief Executive Officer – Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, will host the Global Stage Welcome: The Gateway to Global Insights keynote speech, outlining Dubai’s tourism goals and plans for the coming years. Later, ministers from the GCC and beyond will take to the stage to discuss the key strategies to support and develop tourism in the region at the Ministerial Debate: Streamlining Tourism within the GCC.
Key players emerge
ATM will also host the Market Insights Summit on the Global Stage on the 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.
The Future Stage will officially launch 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 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.
Danielle Curtis, exhibition director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said: “Following the unprecedented success of our 30th edition in 2023, exhibitor participation has increased by a remarkable 26 percent 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,” Curtis added.
Growth across verticals
All show verticals have shown strong growth, including regional year-on-year upticks for the Middle East (28 percent), Asia (34 percent), Europe (34 percent) and Africa (26 percent). 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 percent larger this year. This indicates an unprecedented surge in interest from companies that want to display their latest technological advancements.
ATM is also continuing 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.
Held in conjunction with Dubai World Trade Centre, ATM 2024’s strategic partners are the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), Destination Partner; Emirates, Official Airline Partner; IHG Hotels & Resorts, Official Hotel Partner; and Al Rais Travel, Official DMC Partner.
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