Virtual perspectives

1 - 5 Digital connections 6 Danielle Curtis

ATM Virtual 2021 will run next week from May 24 to 26 with an extensive programme of virtual events for travel professionals from all around the world

When ATM Virtual made its debut in June 2020, the travel and tourism industry was still coming to grips with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet the event proved to be a resounding success, attracting 12,000 online attendees from 140 countries, as it paved the way forward for the sector’s recovery.

To complement the four-day in-person show that closes today and reach a wider audience than ever before, ATM’s first new hybrid format will see ATM Virtual returning this year. Taking place next week from May 24 to 26, 2021, attendees from all around the world can expect three days of insights into the latest developments in travel and tourism.

“It was imperative to include a virtual element this year because many industry professionals from around the world were not able to attend the in-person event, with travel restrictions changing rapidly around the globe,” said Danielle Curtis, Exhibitor Director ME, Arabian Travel Market.

“The success of ATM Virtual 2020 went beyond our expectations and we were delighted with the overall feedback and the results. It provided us with the platform to launch a new hybrid format for the first time this year, which means a virtual ATM running a week later after the in-person event closes today.”

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ON THE AGENDA

ATM Virtual provides a platform for travel professionals around the world to continue important one-to-one meetings through matchmaking on the platform and attend live webinars and debates from the comfort of their own home or office.

“Building on the success of last year’s debut event, ATM Virtual 2021 will feature live and on-demand sessions, virtual roundtables, one-toone meetings, speed networking events and destination briefings while facilitating new connections and offering a wide range of online business opportunities,” added Curtis.

Attendees can expect a packed conference programme as the threeday event will feature interviews with leading airline chiefs, including Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates, and responsible tourism sessions conducted by World Travel Market’s Responsible Tourism Advisor Harold Goodwin.

The virtual event will also see the ATM Saudi Arabia Tourism Summit, a session on cultural tourism in the region and the ATM Hotel Industry Summit.

READY FOR RECOVERY

Like most aspects of travel, the in-destination industry is constantly evolving, with rapid technological innovations and traveller behaviour leading the change. This makes it crucial to highlight the trends defining the market, which will be addressed at ARIVAL Dubai, another highlight on the agenda for ATM Virtual.

It will feature sessions covering current and future trends for operators of tours and attractions and assemble leading voices from across the region to help the industry chart a path of resilience and resurgence in 2021 and beyond.

The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), the world’s

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To complement the in-person show that closes today, ATM’s new hybrid format will see ATM Virtual taking place next week

premier business travel and meetings trade organisation, will also be participating in ATM Virtual and will deliver the latest business travel content, research and education to drive post-pandemic recovery and support growth in business travel.

ATM Virtual presents a second opportunity to reconnect, but this time, online. Through the platform, attendees will also get access to on-demand content and view sessions that they may have missed during the in-person event.

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