It’s travel, but not as we know it Rapid technological advances and new modes of transport will transform region-wide travel and set global benchmarks The way in which we travel in the Middle East is set to rapidly evolve, revealed industry experts on day one of Arabian Travel Market, with alternative types of transport, big data and artificial intelligence transforming the passenger experience beyond recognition. From cutting-edge Hyperloop systems, which will facilitate ultra-fast travel in the UAE and around the Gulf, to predictive
technologies that create a seamless and more personalised journey on the ground, at the airport and in the air, the region is pioneering future travel experiences that will set global standards. Top executives from Emirates, Dubai Airports and Virgin Hyperloop One revealed some of the advanced passenger-focused innovations they had planned for the region
at ATM’s opening conference session on the Global Stage, entitled ‘Future Travel Experiences’. Plans to build a lightning-speed Hyperloop system connecting Dubai and Abu Dhabi, as well as other major cities around the Gulf, are already under serious consideration. Harj Dhaliwal, Managing Director Middle East and India Operations, Virgin Hyperloop One, stressed it would help tourists “travel farther and faster – all for an affordable price. “Imagine the potential of travelling between cities throughout the GCC in under two hours – visitors could make Dubai their ‘base’ and take day trips to Abu Dhabi, Riyadh and Muscat with little hassle.” The system moves people and cargo in pods propelled by magnets and solar energy at speeds of 1,200 kilometres per hour and is one of many cutting-edge transport initiatives planned for the Middle East. Others include a high-speed railway, major airport upgrades and, in Dubai, driverless public transport including air taxis - part of the government’s plan to make 25 percent of all journeys autonomous by 2030. “New technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics, hardware advancements, and big data are giving rise to new forms of personal and mass transportation like Hyperloop. In the future, these predictive technologies will anticipate travel patterns and demands without any human involvement,” added Dhaliwal. Emirates, a global trailblazer of aviation innovation, is looking at ways to leverage data to “hyper-personalise” the passenger experience, giving customers “what they want, when they want it”, explained the company’s Chief Digital and Innovation Officer, Christoph Mueller. He is spearheading the full digitalisation of the entire Emirates business model, with the company currently trialling a gamechanging prototype machine that will eventually use AI to predict both passenger CONTINUED ON PAGE 5
A royal start to ATM’s 25th edition The 25th edition of Arabian Travel Market started on a high note yesterday with His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, officially opening the event. Following a royal ribbon-cutting ceremony, Sheikh Maktoum and his delegation toured the Middle East’s largest travel trade event, which this year boasts more than 2,500 exhibiting companies and features the biggest hotel exhibition space in the show’s 25-year history, accounting for some 20 percent of floorspace.
His Highness was introduced to several exhibitors by His Excellency Helal Almarri, Director General of Dubai’s Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing (DTCM), who conducted an extensive show tour, visiting stands such as Dubai Parks and Resorts and Emirates, to name a few. More than 150 countries are represented at ATM 2018 and at least 40,000 attendees are anticipated during the fourday event (April 22 to 25). Day one attendance figures put the show firmly on track to meet this target,
demonstrating how the Middle East’s travel and tourism sector continues to thrive. The first day of the show, which this year has Responsible Tourism as the theme, also saw a stellar line-up of travel industry experts take to the Global Stage as the ATM conference programme got underway. It kicked off with a high-profile selection of technology professionals from Emirates, Dubai Airports and Virgin Hyperloop One, who explained how the way we travel is set to rapidly evolve over the next few years, thanks to new modes of transport and technological advancements including AI. CONTINUED ON PAGE 5
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Inspiring spaces
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Looking at smart tourism
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Cultural attractions
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