Region's largest travel shop opens its doors in Dubai today

Now in its 22nd year, the 2015 edition, which takes place at the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre from 4-7 May 2015, will welcome Over 400 confirmed exhibitors and an expected 23,000 visitors to the largest travel trade event in the Middle East.

The show has grown by 7% since 2014, and added an extra hall for 2015, with 86 countries represented, 64 national pavilions, and a total of 113 new exhibitors set to make their ATM debut.

“As we count down to Expo 2020 and a target of at least 20 million visitors annually as part of Tourism Vision 2020, and a forecasted figure of 25 million visitors for the six-month-long expo, it’s impossible not to be swept up in the momentum of tourism development, both right here in the UAE and across the region. Despite the ongoing challenges facing neighbouring economies, the Middle East continues to break new ground when it comes to infrastructure expansion, government and private sector initiatives, and visitor engagement,” said Nadege Noblet-Segers, Exhibition Manager, Arabian Travel Market.

“Sustainable development is the foundation for the successful long-term growth of the tourism economy and this year’s showcase will incorporate a number of major features that directly address current industry issues. These include the return of the UNWTO Ministerial Forum, at which MENA region portfolio ministers and industry leaders will discuss the advancement of intra-regional tourism.  We have also launched the Travel Tech Show at ATM which is accompanied by our annual Technology Theatre seminar series, where global experts in their field will share the latest hi-tech developments impacting our industry. We also have our dedicated spotlight theme for 2015 – family travel, which represents a significant opportunity for the global tourism industry to capitalise on the trend towards multi-generational travel, the travelling future of Gen Y and, specifically in this part of the world, the increase in high-net worth families seeking luxury experiences,” she added.

In addition, ATM 2015 will welcome 80 senior industry leaders from commercial travel organisations to its invitation-only Captains of Industry Lunch, and introduce, for the very first time, the ATM Best Stand Awards.

“Tourism is an integral part of Dubai’s economy, and the Arabian Travel Market is a key showcase of the emirate’s capabilities and infrastructure, as well as its thriving and diverse travel services on offer.  With Dubai Expo 2020 on the horizon, travel and tourism operators will continue to capitalize on exhibitions like ATM, putting in place building blocks for future development,” said Sheikh Majid Al Mualla, Divisional Senior Vice President Commercial Operations Centre, Emirates Airline.

“Arabian Travel Market is one of the most important events on our calendar, and we look forward to building new relationships with travel and tourism partners, as well as strengthening existing ones. ATM provides the ideal platform for DTCM and Dubai stakeholders to showcase the many elements of the emirate’s destination offering from different perspectives – and the ongoing efforts to enhance these. With one of ATM’s main themes for this year being family tourism, we are also using the show as an opportunity to highlight Dubai’s strength within this segment, which plays a major role as we work towards realising our Tourism Vision for 2020 targets. Furthermore, DTCM is playing an integral role in the promotion of Emirati culture, and during this year’s ATM delegates are being invited to daily workshops hosted by the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding (SMCCU).” said Issam Kazim, CEO, Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing.

Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, the show has grown to become the largest showcase of its kind in the region and one of the biggest in the world.

This year’s event will also build still further on the success of the 2014 edition with the addition of 2,000 square metres of floor space as Reed Travel Exhibitions looks to add to its record-breaking achievements last year – 33,000 participants an increase of 12%, from more than 130 countries, and business deals worth over US$ 2.1 billion signed over the four days.

 

 

 

(L-R) Philippe Zuber, Chief Operating Officer, Emaar Hospitality Group;  Sheikh Majid Al Mualla, DSVP Commercial Operations Centre, Emirates Airline; Nadège Noblet-Segers, Exhibition Manager, Arabian Travel Market; Simon Press, Senior Exhibition Director, Arabian Travel Market and World Travel Market; Issam Abdul Rahim Kazim, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing; Marc Bennett, Senior Vice President, International Operations, Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing; Ali Abu Monassar, Chairman, The Vision Destination Management