A tour de force industry
dubai — Hospitality and tourism professionals in the UAE are bullish about the industry outlook for 2018-19 on the back of diverse concepts offered to tourists and businesses such as cultural tourism, entertainment parks and mega business events, industry executives said.
Hospitality and tourism professionals in the UAE are bullish about the industry outlook for 2018-19 on the back of diverse concepts offered to tourists and businesses such as cultural tourism, entertainment parks and mega business events, industry executives said.
“We are positive about the outlook for the UAE because the government and private sectors are forward thinking and continue to invest in new activities such as entertainment and theme parks, cultural tourism and developments for 2020. All this gives a positive outlook for the UAE. We are operating 20 properties now and will open 12 more in 3 to 5 years in the UAE,” said Bastien Blanc, vice-president of operations, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG).
Blanc said both Dubai and Abu Dhabi are bringing in a lot of international tourists, especially with the addition of new cultural developments such as the Louvre Museum. “This diversifications is helping tourism grow. From the businesses perspective, Dubai remains one of the main cities in the world for hosting large conventional events such as the ATM which are bringing in thousands of visitors,” he said.
Blanc was speaking on the sidelines of the Arabian Travel Market 2018 which was inaugurated by Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and First Deputy Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council. Over 2,500 exhibitors and 40,000 industry professionals from 150 countries are attending the 25th edition of ATM which will run for 4 days at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
Olivier R. Harnisch, CEO, Emaar Hospitality Group
The cultural offerings are increasing beyond beaches and desert adventures