DELVE INTO THE FUTURE OF SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL AT ARABIAN TRAVEL MARKET 2023

As we prepare to open our doors for the 30th edition of Arabian Travel Market (ATM), it feels like a monumental year – not just for the show but for the entire sector.

ATM has grown considerably during the past three decades. Inaugurated in 1994 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the first edition welcomed about 7,000 attendees and participants from 52 nations. In contrast, ATM 2023, which will take place at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) from Monday, May 1, to Thursday, May 4, will feature more than 2,000 exhibitors and approximately 34,000 attendees from over 150 countries.

It therefore feels appropriate that this milestone show will focus on one of the biggest challenges – and opportunities – facing our sector. In line with its theme of ‘Working Towards Net Zero’, ATM 2023 offers a golden opportunity to build relationships, share knowledge and showcase innovations that will accelerate decarbonisation. Here are just a handful of the highlights I’m most looking forward to this year.

To mark our 30th edition, my colleagues and I will be unveiling a dedicated sustainability pledge, which has been created to reinforce RX’s commitment to the delivery of sustainable events. In addition to providing a roadmap for ATM’s journey towards net zero, this pledge will be supplemented by a brandnew sustainability playbook. In combination, these tools will offer a framework within which participants can mitigate their environmental impact before, during and after the show.

I am also eager to see the outcome of our inaugural ‘ATM Sustainable Stand Award’, which will be announced as part of the ATM 2023 Best Stand Awards. Entries will be judged according to an extensive range of sustainable criteria, including supplier choice, material usage, operational efficiency and what will happen to stands once the event has concluded, meaning we are certain to witness a range of innovative approaches.

As ever, the ATM Global Stage will host a range of sessions focused on pivotal industry issues, including, but not limited to, hotels and hospitality, aviation and transport, MICE and business travel, investment, responsible tourism, workforce diversification, and emerging sectors such as attractions, cruises, wellness and cultural tourism. Our 30th edition will also see the return of the ATM Travel Tech Stage, which will explore how cutting-edge innovations, such as artificial intelligence, the metaverse, cryptocurrency and big data, are disrupting the market and reshaping the future of tourism.

ATM 2023 will also feature a Sustainability Hub for the first time, setting the backdrop for sessions dedicated to sustainable travel trends and innovations. This hub will also provide the ideal venue for the ATM 2023 Start-up Competition, an event hosted by conference partner Plug and Play that will see entrepreneurs go headto-head in a ‘Sustainable Tech Pitch Battle’.

Other highlights will include the International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) Arabia, as well as sessions from the International Travel & Tourism Investment Conference (ITIC), the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) and the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA).

With a selection of additional mustattend events, including sessions focused on the key markets of India, China and the GCC, plus informal speed networking, ATM 2023 will offer something to suit every interest.

My colleagues and I look forward to welcoming you to Arabian Travel Market in Dubai this May. We wish you a safe and pleasant trip.

Danielle Curtis

Director ME, Arabian Travel Market

34 Seminar schedule

Stay up to date with what’s happening and when on the ATM show floor

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ATM encourages tourism businesses to undergo fundamental course correction and accelerate climate action

50 Transforming tourism

Climate action occupies a central place in the global tourism industry as demonstrated in these bold strategies we’ve highligted

54 A positive impact

Industry figureheads highlight the hospitality landscape of the Middle East

58 Sustainability takes off

We shine the spotlight on sustainability in the aviation industry

Meet us at ATM on stand HC0720

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