THE OFFICIAL SHOW DAILY 6 – 9 May 2013
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Contents 06
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04 Welcome MARK WALSH 06 EXHIBITOR NEWS 27 SEMINAR PROGRAMME 30 Special report CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF ARABIAN TRAVEL MARKET
INSIGHT INTO THE FUTURE OF AIR TRAVEL
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20 YEARS AND STILL GROWING... Marking a landmark achievement, Arabian Travel Market celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2013 with a host of events and activities designed to highlight the growth of the show and the travel and tourism industry over the past two decades. Topping the bill is a special opening address that will present Dubai and the UAE’s key accomplishments over the past 20 years in terms of developing its travel, tourism, aviation and hospitality infrastructure. The seminar, entitled ‘20 Years: Now, Then and Tomorrow’ is taking place today from 13.00 to 14.30 in the Seminar Theatre – Hall 1 and will be led by keynote speaker HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President, CEO
and Chairman, Department of Civil Aviation, The Emirates Group and Dubai World. He will be joined by a panel of high-profile industry professionals (turn to page 27 for the full line-up) who will share their visions for how travel and tourism will evolve over the next 20 years, with a key focus on aviation. Mark Walsh, Portfolio Director, Reed Travel Exhibitions, who is speaking on the panel said: “Over the past two decades Arabian Travel Market has grown significantly, in tandem with regional tourism. Looking back it seems incredible that an event that started with just 2,000 square metres in 1994 has grown to over 22,000 and now
32 Interview DWTC'S SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT – VENUES AHMED ALKHAJA 36 Focus INVESTIGATING THE RISE OF MEDICAL TOURISM
welcomes more than 20,000 attendees. Considering the current positive growth estimates for the Middle East travel and tourism sector, the future for Arabian Travel Market and Middle East tourism is assured.” Also for this special occasion, a commemorative book has been published along the same theme as the opening address, with exclusive contributions from 18 influential thought leaders. The limited edition publication will be distributed to VIPs at Arabian Travel Market and selected recipients across the Gulf states. On the show floor, there is a 20th anniversary-themed Internet café designed to take visitors on a trip down memory lane. As well as showcasing photographs from the archives, the café will play host to a timeline of achievements and an interactive pinboard where visitors can post their handwritten notes depicting their favourite show memories. Turn to our feature on page 30 to find out more about the anniversary celebrations.
Rashid Alawadi
Lamia Al Ansi
SHINING A LIGHT ON TALENT Nurturing upcoming talent is a key focus of Arabian Travel Market and, to mark the show’s 20th anniversary this year, five rising stars from the travel, hotel and hospitality sector are being given the chance to discuss their career ambitions and predictions for the future of the industry. The participants include Rashid Alawadi, Manager Retail, Dnata; Madiya bin Hadi, Operations Manager, Arabian Adventures;
Lamia Al Ansi, Contracts Manager, Omran; Christophe Mousset, Hotel Manager, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray and Elie Milky, Director of Business Development, Middle East and North Africa (MENA). All the stars were nominated by their bosses who, in turn, are featuring as thought leaders in Reed Travel Exhibition’s limited edition 20th anniversary publication. Continued on page 4
Today's highlights 13.00–14.00
Travel and technology: the latest trends
13.00 –14.30
'20 Years: Now, then and tomorrow': opening address
14.15–15.15
Is social media a friend or foe?
14.45–16.15
Emirates and Qantas: the big conversation
40 DESTINATION PROFILES 46 EXHIBITOR EXPECTATIONS
1 Monday 6 May
HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum
15.00 –16.00
Developing the emirates outside Dubai and Abu Dhabi