17 minute read
In the spotlight
With a carefully curated conference programme, ATM 2022 will highlight the future of international travel and tourism
Now in its 29th year working in conjunction with Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) and Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), the 2022 edition of Arabian Travel Market marks the annual event’s second in-person exhibition since the onset of the pandemic in 2020. The leading global exhibition dedicated to inbound and outbound travel and tourism in the Middle East, ATM serves as the ideal platform for travel and tourism professionals and businesses in the region to unlock their maximum potential.
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For the last 28 years, the event has connected products and destinations from around the world with buyers and travel trade visitors at DWTC.
Considered by industry professionals as a barometer for the tourism sector in the Middle East and North Africa, ATM hosts the biggest names in the business during the four-day event. Travel luminaries and high-profile brands are in attendance, showcasing their latest products and technological innovations, while the carefully curated conference programme features some of the most influential speakers in the industry.
THE WAY FORWARD
With restrictions continuing to ease around the world and the travel industry pulling out all the stops to recover, ATM 2022 will throw the spotlight on the future of the business. The theme ‘The future of international travel and tourism’ has aptly been chosen for this year’s show.
“After two years of uncertainty caused by the global pandemic, we truly believe that ATM 2022 offers the international travel community an ideal opportunity to come together to explore the long-term strategic direction of our industry,” said Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, ATM.
“This year’s theme will shine a spotlight on the growth trajectory of our industry as travel and tourism professionals address the challenges and capitalise on the inevitable opportunities that lie ahead.
“To achieve that goal, we aim to provide an innovative and inclusive platform from which industry professionals from around the world can reconnect face to face, exchanging ideas, views and opinions in a collaborative and positive environment,” she explained.
ON THE AGENDA
Supporting this year’s theme, the conference programme will bring together industry experts who will address the latest trends and movements steering the industry forward.
Topics will cover everything from COVID-19 recovery, aviation and hospitality to responsible tourism and business travel while also spotlighting new technologies that are driving
ATM 2021
positive change. Through valuable insights shared on the show floor, the event will help map out the future of the industry while exploring new trends, opportunities for growth, innovation and, of course, effective recovery.
“We have so much in store for our participants this year. Show highlights will include, amongst others, destination summits focused on the key source markets of Saudi Arabia and India,” said Curtis.
“For the first time ever, the Arival Dubai @ ATM forum and the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) session will take place live in Dubai, after joining us remotely for ATM 2021. The former will cover current and future trends for tour operators and attractions, focusing on business development harnessing marketing, technology, distribution, thought leadership and executive-level connections.
“Meanwhile, GBTA, the world’s premier business travel and meetings trade organisation, will discuss its latest business travel content and research, during two main sessions on the Global Stage.”
FINGER ON THE PULSE
The Middle East Tourism Investment Summit organised by ITIC is one of the biggest highlights of this year’s ATM Global Stage. Taking place on Tuesday, May 10, the summit will host panel discussions, one-to-one interviews and presentations that will highlight the region as a major financial hub for global tourism investments.
Industry experts will discuss the factors driving investment in the region’s tourism industry, new and improved flight connectivity in the Middle East that will further support tourism growth and the financing of future tourism projects.
TIME FOR TECH
Travel has never been as complex as it is today. With the pent-up desire to explore the world and reach new places – as safely and securely as possible – the reliance on technology has increased drastically. This means that there is ample potential for businesses to tap into these trends and leverage new technologies to create seamless experiences for customers. Travel technology is, therefore, once again, a major focus.
“The revamped and rebranded ATM Travel Tech event – previously known as Travel Forward – will take place at ATM 2022, hosting seminars, debates and presentations,” said Curtis.
ATM Travel Tech is the event for cutting-edge technology for travel and hospitality, attracting decision makers from across the globe. Across four days, attendees can expect insights, open debate, unrivalled networking opportunities and discussions on the latest technologies and trends that will shape the future of travel.
Another key event taking place on the ATM Travel Tech Stage is the firstever ATM Draper-Aladdin Start-up Competition, which is a new and exciting forum designed to showcase the very latest technology innovations from some of the brightest minds in the travel and hospitality industry.
“The inaugural competition will offer an incredible opportunity for startups and entrepreneurs from across the industry to pitch their business plans to industry judges and investors. It will take place on the ATM Travel Tech Stage on Tuesday, May 10, 2022, where up to 15 start-ups will vie for up to half a million dollars of funding, a DASC Certificate and the chance to appear on Tim Draper’s TV show, Meet the Draper,” explained Curtis.
VIRTUAL PERSPECTIVES
To complement the four-day in-person show and reach a wider audience than ever before, ATM’s hybrid format returns this year, following last year’s success, from May 17 to 18.
Curtis explained: “It is imperative to include a virtual element as part of Arabian Travel Week because many industry professionals from around the world may not be able to attend the in-person event. ATM Virtual, now in its third year, will feature speed networking events, a virtual digital influencers’ speed networking session and one-toone meetings. It will also facilitate online networking and a wide range of business opportunities. Sessions from the in-person show will also be available on-demand during the virtual event. Virtual destination briefings will also be available which will provide industry professionals with an opportunity to showcase their destination to ATM’s audience of travel buyers globally.”
A WEEK IN TRAVEL
Arabian Travel Week made its debut during the 2019 edition of ATM and returns this year from May 9 to 19, 2022. Curtis said: “Arabian Travel Week is a 10-day festival of events, dedicated to enabling international travel professionals from across the industry to discuss strategies and potential partnerships that will drive the recovery of the Middle East travel industry through exhibitions, conferences, breakfast briefings, awards, product launches and networking events.
“The travel events that are part of Arabian Travel Week include the in-person Arabian Travel Market exhibition, luxury travel event ILTM Arabia, influencers’ events and activations, as well as Travel Tech, Arival Dubai for the tours and attractions sector, regional buyer forums, and, of course, ATM Virtual,” explained Curtis.
During Arabian Travel Week, all eyes will be on the city as Dubai invites the international travel industry to come together and take part in the events that shape the future of travel.
Set for success
Discover one of Dubai’s most iconic properties on Palm Jumeirah
Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort
Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort has become one of Palm Jumeirah’s most iconic properties since it opened almost a decade ago. In an ever-evolving and fiercely competitive market like Dubai, it has gained its status as a firm fixture on the emirate’s hospitality scene.
This constant renovation from Anantara, part of the Thai-based Minor Hotels group, and its refusal to sit on its laurels is why the hotel continues to prove popular with residents and international visitors alike.
James Hewitson, Cluster General Manager for Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort and Anantara World Islands Dubai Resort, said: “After nine years of operations, Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort has continually progressed in terms of new developments. The property has undergone renovation throughout different areas of the resort, with phase two set to complete in the middle of 2022 and phase three in 2023.”
There are also plans to add eight swimming pools to the already popular overwater villas, adding a new element of luxury to its Thai-inspired design. Other renovations include an interior overhaul of the one-bedroom beach pool villas, premier lagoon access rooms and family lagoon access rooms.
The resort’s restaurants will follow suit, with the much-loved Beach House set to undergo a complete renovation and rebrand, not only showcasing a refreshed look but also increasing its capacity by 50 more covers towards the scenic shoreline.
This year is set to be another exciting milestone, said Hewitson, after the longawaited opening of Anantara World Islands Dubai Resort in December 2021. Another Minor-branded resort is set to make its grand opening in the second quarter of this year. NH Dubai The Palm will be the latest offering in the Minor Hotels portfolio.
Speaking of the new launch, he said: “The 533-key property will pave the way for a chic lifestyle resort in the heart of Palm Jumeirah. Located on Dubai’s global landmark, NH Dubai The Palm will be part of Seven Hotel & Apartments, a mixed-use development consisting of a hospitality tower and a residential tower.”
The new 14-storey property will offer 227 hotel guest rooms and suites, in addition to 306 serviced apartments. Facilities will feature multiple restaurants and bars, including a rooftop pool and an evening venue, along with three spa treatment rooms, a kids’ club and four meeting rooms.
It is a buoyant start to the year in spite of a crippling pandemic which has hit many of the region’s biggest brands hard. However, Dubai continues to rank among the world’s most resilient tourism economies, top of the Bloomberg Covid Resiliency Rankings in November, meaning the future is bright.
“The pandemic has undoubtedly brought about its challenges among not only the hospitality industry but the world at large. However, unlike most resorts, Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort never closed its doors to guests.”
As the world begins to come together once again in person, ATM is at the heart of that for the region’s industry leaders. “ATM allows us to restore professional relationships and strengthen our network with partners. It is refreshing to have a space where industry leaders and professionals can regroup and discuss the latest developments. It’s important to note that all sectors are looking forward to achieving the same success of 2021 through the years, and ATM will help highlight these accomplishments.”
Showcasing its latest property on Dubai’s World Islands, a unique new offering to the UAE like nothing else in the market, will be a major feature of the group’s participation. “We’re very excited to present Anantara World Islands Dubai
We’re very excited to present Anantara World Islands Dubai Resort as it brings a unique concept to the UAE
Resort as it is a great opportunity to bring a unique Maldivian-style concept to the UAE,” he said.
However, the constant evolution of Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort remains key. The team’s leadership is also hoping to re-engage with current and new partners at ATM as well as learn from key source markets in order to become a more ecologically, financially and overall, more reputable resort on an international scale.
“At ATM this year, we aim to discuss strategy, engage in healthy discussions with partners and promote overall tourism in Dubai. With the combined efforts of the hospitality, aviation and tourism industries, we can focus on accomplishing our goals to increase market share and drive the leisure economy during 2022 and beyond.”
Leading by example
As one of the Middle East’s most exciting new destinations, tourism development is an important driver of growth for the future of Saudi Arabia
Riyadh
When Saudi Arabia announced Vision 2030, one of the key pillars at the heart of this plan was to help diversify the economy and reduce reliance on oil. The Ministry of Tourism, the Saudi Tourism Authority and the Tourism Development Fund were established with clear remits to support the growth of this significant sector and help it to flourish.
Announced in 2016 by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Vision 2030 is an ambitious scheme that intends to completely reshape the kingdom’s economy into one that is self-sufficient, progressive and diversified, with massive changes including opening up to the world’s intrepid travellers.
Authorities saw an overwhelming 300,000 applications in the first four months of introducing the instant eVisa system. More than 3,500 tourism investment licenses were issued since the 2019 announcement, allowing the world’s travellers to witness the wonders of this Middle Eastern treasure. By March 2020, just before the pandemic hit, the kingdom had already welcomed more than 440,000 international tourists.
Through the fast and easy-touse online portal, international visitors from 49 eligible countries can apply for an eVisa and discover the warm hospitality of the Saudi people, the rich heritage, vibrant culture and diverse and breathtaking landscapes, from the mountains of Abha to the beaches of the Red Sea and the shifting sands of the Empty Quarter.
The one-year, multiple entry visa, allows tourists to spend up to 90 days in the country and covers tourism-related activities and Umrah (excluding Hajj).
In addition to opening up some of the country’s most breathtaking destinations to the world, the Vision 2030 scheme includes ambitious targets, such as increasing the capacity for Umrah visitors from eight million to 30 million, lowering the unemployment rate, increasing women’s participation in the workforce and also driving foreign investment.
DESTINATION FOCUS
Among the key destinations being developed for the expected influx of foreign visitors is AlUIa. Home to one of the kingdom’s finest UNESCO World Heritage Sites, AlUla is located deep in the desert to the northwest of Saudi Arabia. With the makings of a bucket list-topping global destination, it boasts ancient tombs, the legacy of 7,000 years of human civilisation, stunning natural rock formations and canyons, a plethora of adventure sports options and cuttingedge art installations.
Al Ahsa is another of the country’s key showcase destinations. With more than 2.5 million date palm trees blanketing a verdant expanse inland from Saudi Arabia’s Gulf coast, Al Ahsa is an archetypal lush desert oasis. One of Saudi Arabia’s UNESCO World Heritagelisted regions, Al Ahsa was also recently recognised by the Guinness World Records as the largest self-contained oasis in the world.
Visitors to Al Ahsa have much to choose from, including hot and cold
2022
KEY INDICATORS 5.3%
CONTRIBUTION TO GDP
836,000
NEW JOBS CREATED
62 million
TOTAL VISITATION
32.5 million
DOMESTIC VISITATION
29.5 million
INTERNATIONAL VISITATION
2030
KEY INDICATORS 10%+
CONTRIBUTION TO GDP
1 million
NEW JOBS CREATED
100 million
TOTAL VISITATION
45 million
DOMESTIC VISITATION
55 million
INTERNATIONAL VISITATION
springs, historic mosques and sweeping panoramic vistas. Truly, there is a lot to explore in this 6,000-year-old oasis, which has long been a gateway to the Arabian Peninsula.
The country’s capital city, Riyadh, is at the heart of Vision 2030, offering a fascinating blend of old and new. A modern metropolis, it is also home to the first historic roots of Arabia. Riyadh’s modern skyscraper-studded skyline is also paralleled with a fascinating centuries-old history that can be found within atmospheric souks, compelling museums and ancient architecture.
Among Saudi Arabia’s targets is more than doubling the number of heritage sites registered with UNESCO. It currently stands at six, including Al Ahsa Oasis and At-Turaif District in ad-Diriyah, with a further 10 sites on the tentative list including the Hejaz Railway and Rijal Almaa Heritage Village.
The new frontier
NEOM is one of the world’s most ambitious projects, a bold vision to design and create a sustainable blueprint for humankind. Beyond being a place, NEOM is an idea with a mission to build a better world based on the fundamentals of sustainability and livability, enabled by cutting-edge technology and always with nature at the core.
Tourism is the gateway for the world to experience this vision, explore the land and discover the world changing ideas that are driving it.
NEOM is the most ancient of lands, found at the crossroads of civilisations, a rugged and spectacular landscape, crisscrossed by ancient trade routes and traversed by cultures for thousands of years. Into this ancient landscape, the new project will seed and nurture the ideas to create the tourism of tomorrow.
The future city is already melding “the raw land with new thinking”, forging experiences unlike anything before. Untamed and majestic landscapes are mixed with science and technology, where visitors will be able to ski in the desert mountains of Saudi Arabia, witness the return of long-lost animals, swim among secret corals with the rarest of sea creatures and explore an untold history and heritage through the most immersive augmented and virtual reality experiences.
NEOM is led by a commitment to forever alter the possibilities of travel
Trojena Yabou Island
Al Badh
– from how people will travel to how visitors will experience travel and from what people will see to how they will see it, pushing the boundaries of what is truly possible for tomorrow’s traveller.
In reimagining the world of travel, NEOM Tourism is driven by four key imperatives. The first is creating the world’s most desirable destination by reigniting the imagination of travellers to seek out this new, unseen and undiscovered land. It allows them to go where few have been and experience what few have done. It encourages them to push beyond their current boundaries and unlock the explorer inside.
The second pillar is tackling the issues of over-tourism and tourism’s carbon footprint by creating the world’s first measurable net-positive destination, where those who come will be able to make effective choices, to not only reduce their impact on the environment but leave it better knowing that every step they take is for good.
The third priority is challenging the tourism industry’s technology inertia by injecting ‘Tech Wonderment’ into the stories and experiences of NEOM to immerse visitors into this land in the most unexpected and wondrous ways.
The final pillar is replacing the red tape with the red carpet, so that visitors spend their time enjoying the sites and delights without the hassles of the rules and paperwork they currently encounter, despite this being the 21st century.
NEOM Tourism will create the desire to come, the welcoming, the experiences to be had and the forging of a long-term emotional engagement that will see the project become a new place in the world’s heart, not just a new place on the world map.
A New Dawn for Travel and Tourism - FeatureDISCOVER JOURNEYS OF ASIAN SPLENDOUR 19 ON THE SHORES OF PALM JUMEIRAH.
Encounter a blend of island luxury with vibrant city life for your seamless vacation. Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort offers all the elements for a great escape – whether for days of seaside romantic bliss or fun-filled family adventure.
Stay in spacious rooms or villas that reflect the Thai origins of Anantara, whilst embracing the lavish opulence of this ground-breaking destination. Laze by your private infinity pool or step into the shimmering lagoons straight from your room. Exquisite gastronomy awaits at our fine dining venues. Experience a traditional Turkish Hammam or one of our signature therapies in the soothing surrounds of Anantara Spa. Delight in a coastal paradise overlooking the glittering city lights of Dubai.
