ATM to focus on responsible tourism
Over $2.5b in deals set to be signed at exhibition next week, with 40,000 people expected to visit
Responsible tourism and sustainable travel trends will be in focus next week when the 25th edition of Arabian Travel Market (ATM), the travel exhibition, kicks off in Dubai. The event is expected to see over $2.5 billion in deals over its four-day run |
Responsible tourism and sustainable travel trends will be in focus next week when the 25th edition of Arabian Travel Market (ATM), the travel exhibition, kicks off in Dubai.
Organisers of the event said yesterday that ATM is expected to see over $2.5 billion (Dh9 billion) in deals over its four-day run. More than 2,500 companies will be exhibiting their services at the event, and 40,000 people are expected to visit.
Simon Press, senior exhibition director of ATM, said speakers at the event this year will discuss what lies ahead for the tourism industry, given the “continuing geopolitical tensions across the globe, economic uncertainties, huge technological advances, and, of course, the increasing trend of responsible tourism.”
Press said that ATM has seen a continued increase in footfall since 2012, and expects that to continue when the latest edition of the exhibition starts on Sunday. In 2017, ATM saw deals worth $2.5 billion and almost Emirates airline said it is eyeing the Mexican market to expand its passenger network in Latin America, and is interested in adding services there. Thierry Antinori, executive vice president and chief commercial officer of Emirates, said yesterday the carrier is “looking at different options” with regards to Mexico. His comments come just a few months after the airline announced it plans to launch a service to Santiago, Chile via Sao Paulo. “... It’s the only country in the world with a population of a 100 million where Emirates is not flying, so it’s a market we should go [to], and we will go one day,” he told reporters, without any further details. Emirates also announced it has revived prospects of non-stop flights to Panama, which would be the longest route in the world. Antinori was speaking yesterday on the sidelines of a press conference to announce details on the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) taking place in Dubai next week. 40,000 industry attending.
Discussing trends in the travel industry, Olivier Harnisch, chief executive officer of Emaar Hospitality Group, said there has been growth in responsible tourism, which is tourism that minimises negative environmental and social impact. He added that there is also focus on millennial travellers and the demand they create for mid-scale accommodation and experience-oriented services. professionals
Focus on transit visas
Also taking the spotlight at ATM this year will be the latest move by the UAE Cabinet to start preparing a policy to grant transit visas to transit passengers at the country’s airports. The visa will be valid for 24 hours, allowing transit passengers to visit attractions in the UAE.
Issam Kazim, chief executive officer of Dubai’s Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, said the move is a positive one, and when implemented, will help bring more visitors to Dubai. He added that the Corporation is currently working on adding new countries to the list of those whose citizens may receive visas on arrival in the UAE.
About 70 per cent of passengers who used the UAE’s airports in 2017 were transit passengers.
The Arabian Travel Market will take place at the Dubai World Trade Centre and will bring together companies in the travel industry including international hotels and airlines.