Category Archives: Exhibitions

Reed Exhibitions (RX) the organiser of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) has announced that this year’s four-day event will now open on Monday 9 May 2022 and close on Thursday 12 May 2022, to fall in line with the UAE’s new Monday-to-Friday working week. Taking place at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), the revised dates are also expected to complement international markets, the majority of which also follow the Monday-to-Friday working week. Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME – Arabian Travel Market, said: “We are looking forward to welcoming the global travel and tourism community to the UAE on Monday 9 May 2022. Made possible by the UAE’s forward-thinking decision to transition to a 4.5-day, Monday-to-Friday workweek, we are confident ATM 2022’s updated timings will benefit both exhibitors and attendees by offering improved alignment with international markets.” Endorsing ATM’s position, UAE business sentiment is certainly very positive. According to a poll conducted by management consultancy Mercer, overall, 84% of private sector firms welcomed the initiative and 37% would adopt a long-term flexible approach, particularly those with close trading links with other Gulf countries. Now in its 29th year and working in collaboration with the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) and Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) – previously known as the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), ATM 2022 will feature a broad selection of show highlights. Travel Forward, the leading global event for travel technology, will shine a spotlight on next-generation innovations for tourism and hospitality. ATM buyer forums and speed networking events will take place during the four days of the show. After joining remotely for ATM 2021, this year will see both the ARIVALDubai@ATM forum and …

Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) has announced its participation in the World Travel Market (WTM) Expo 2021, which is being held at Excel London in the British capital from November 1-3, 2021. WTM 2021 aims to explore the profound changes that global tourism has witnessed over the past two years. The WTM agenda includes enhancing international communication in order to establish ways to rebuild, innovate, and take advantage of the current opportunities to reshape the global travel and tourism system as the pandemic progressively recedes. SCTDA is heading the Sharjah delegation, which includes representatives from Sharjah International Airport, Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (SHUROOQ), Expo Centre Sharjah, Sharjah Institute for Heritage, Sharjah Sports Council, Sharjah Airport Travel Agency (SATA), Sheraton Sharjah Beach Resort & Spa, Sharjah Collection, TravTalk, Golden Sands Hotel Sharjah and Adventure Activities Platform Mughamer.com. H.E. Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of SCTDA, stressed the importance of this year’s edition of the WTM, the first to take place as the travel and hospitality sector begins the return to a pre-pandemic footing, commenting that the Sharjah delegation intends to leverage the opportunity to highlight the travel and tourism objectives of the Emirate of Sharjah. “Sharjah’s participation at this year’s World Travel Market comes within the framework of achieving the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, which is to consolidate the position of the Emirate of Sharjah globally, through launching qualitative development and infrastructure projects and intensifying efforts to restore momentum to the tourism sector, considering that it is one of the most important pillars of the national economy. Our participation this year will …

RX Global, organiser of Arabian Travel Market (ATM), has revealed that 2022 could witness a resurgence in brand conscious travellers, following commentary it received from delegates attending its 2021 in-person and virtual seminars about responsible tourism. “The feedback we received, has enabled us to identify a particular profile of traveller, that now actively looks for ethical brands to follow and wants to see tangible evidence of that brand practicing what it claims to be. “This potential vertical shows a combination of characteristics attributed to outdoor adventurers, wellness, eco-tourists, digital nomads on ‘workcations’, experiential tourists and socially aware travellers,” said Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market. “Naturally we will be showcasing this emerging trend during our 2022 hybrid event which takes place live and in-person at the Dubai World Trade Centre on 8-11 May 2022, with a virtual edition on 17 and 18 May 2022. “Our conference programme for ATM 2022 is still being created but already we have sessions that will address the challenges facing airlines, hotels and other destinations, in the near future, such as health and safety, technology and equity in health, education, and economic opportunity,” added Curtis. During our aviation seminars at ATM 2021, experts felt that it would be short haul leisure breaks, favouring low-cost operators would be the first to recover in the wake of the pandemic. Although that may still seem to be the case, this emerging market segment certainly won’t be confined to one location, will likely choose longer haul destinations and stay over a longer timeframe, interspersed with periods of work. “The bottom line here is very similar though. These tourists will still want to see brands committed to health …

The third edition of the Gulf Travel Show, the most important virtual event in the region concluded successfully closing with 2500+  one on one business meetings connecting the trade in the Middle East with some of the most important tourism boards, hotels, resorts, destinations, attractions etc from across the globe. Seema Pande, Co-Founder Elev8 shared, “The Gulf Travel Show, as always, did not disappoint. From the set-up, to the demo calls and having a personalized contact during the show all go towards making this a success. Pre-set appointments are always sent to the exhibitors and while being an on-line show, you can end up missing a few, your personal contact will ensure they find their way back to the booth. It was a great platform to re-connect with old contacts and make some new ones. We attended the show with two of our partner hotels, Le Duc de Praslin, Seychelles and the JW Marriott Mauritius Resort and given our experience, I would highly recommend GTS to my industry colleagues.” In the auditorium the sessions conducted by various experts in the fields of travel, hospitality and technology in the region were viewed and shared by the visitors. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was the key topic everyone was looking at as they recently opened its borders and resumed visa on arrival for leisure travelers of the 49 countries that were announced earlier. Saudi Arabia’s vision 2030 has provided a whole new outlook for the tourism industry Sanjeet Director DDP in conversation with Muzzammil Ahussain EVP Seera Group finds out more information with regard to the latest tourism projects in the kingdom. Another important factor currently promoted in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia is …

The second day of the Gulf Travel Show 3.0 closed with over 700 one on one business meetings. It was the perfect networking opportunity with agents sharing their enthusiasm to meet partners  attending the event. HE Khalid Jasim Al Midfa Chairman Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority shared, “GTS continues to be a valuable platform for the Gulf Travel Industry, providing opportunities to engage and reconnect with key industry players from all over the region.  The engaging panel discussions and sharing of knowledge made GTS 2021 an informative and fruitful experience. We, at SCTDA, were very pleased to participate at this event, taking the chance to showcase Sharjah’s natural and cultural attractions alongside the emirate’s newest hospitality and infrastructural developments and ongoing safety measures as we move forward into a new and successful tourism chapter.” Auditorium sessions were in full swing today with travel expert Nasir Jamal Khan – CEO Al Naboodah Travel opening the floor under the theme “Strategies for attracting visitors post covid” the panelists included three of the most proactive tourism boards during the pandemic Daniel Rosado – Director – Spain Tourism, Siobhan Naughton – Marketing Executive Middle East and Asia at Tourism Ireland and Claude Zammit–  Senior Manager Destination Marketing –  Malta tourism. New partnerships and way forward in travel was the next in the agenda with travel professional Manu Mehrotra – General Manager – Al Tayer Travel with panelists Pierre Thomas – Cruise Director – Swan Hellenic Cruises and Stephen Winter – International Cruise Director – Ponant Cruises. Next on the agenda was Malaysia the World’s Healthcare Marvel moderated by Devika Jeet  – Director DDP with panelists Norhaslina Othman Vice President Facilitation – Malaysia Healthcare …

The first day of the third edition of the Gulf Travel Show ended with its pre-planned meetings for VIP buyers with 320+ meetings. SanJeet Director DDP Group opened the show welcoming all the exhibitors and buyers to the third edition of the Gulf Travel Show. The special industry expert sessions started off at the auditorium with one of the latest trends in the region, the craving for space tourism findings by Zafar Shah, Research Director- Data Products, YouGov MENA followed by Regional trends in flight searches and post pandemic options presented by Dean Wicks Chief Flights Officer Wego, next in line was the update of travel trends in the region with Stewart Smith – Managing Director MEA – Sojern. Hotel industry has been silently working their way over the past 18 months, Mark Willis – CEO Middle East, Africa, Turkey and India shares the latest growth plan for Accor and Bastien Blanc – Managing Director – KSA and Bahrain IHG Hotels and Resorts shared about IHG in Saudi Arabia. Tourism Malaysia is participating for the third time at the third edition of the Gulf Travel Show (GTS) from 12 to 14 October 2021. As a platinum partner, Malaysia is having its own virtual pavilion with 13 booths consisting of Tourism Malaysia Dubai, Tourism Malaysia Jeddah, Langkawi Development Authority (LADA), Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC), together with three (3) Destination Management Companies (DMC)/ tour operator partners, one product partner, as well as five hotels and resorts from the island of Langkawi. Following this year’s participation, Mr Manoharan Periasamy, the Senior Director of Tourism Malaysia’s International Promotion Division for Asia & Africa says that GTS 2021 is a platform that allows industry …

Tourism Malaysia is participating for the third time at the third edition of the Gulf Travel Show (GTS) from 12 to 14 October 2021. As a platinum partner, Malaysia is having its own virtual pavilion with 13 booths consisting of Tourism Malaysia Dubai, Tourism Malaysia Jeddah, Langkawi Development Authority (LADA), Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC), together with three (3) Destination Management Companies (DMC)/ tour operator partners, one product partner, as well as five hotels and resorts from the island of Langkawi. Following this year’s participation, Mr Manoharan Periasamy, the Senior Director of Tourism Malaysia’s International Promotion Division for Asia & Africa says that GTS 2021 is a platform that allows industry players to share the development and implementation of safety for domestic and international travellers in preparation for reopening the borders, especially for the Middle East market. “Malaysia has successfully completed the vaccination of more than 90 per cent of its adult population against COVID-19, and as a result, domestic tourism has fully reopened effective Monday, 11 October 2021. In the meantime, Tourism Malaysia is gearing up in preparing to welcome more tourists and also continuing in promoting the #WeMissYou campaign ahead of the reopening of our international borders that is expected after we achieve 90 per cent complete inoculation nationwide,” says Mr Manoharan. Mr Nasaruddin Bin Abdul Muttalib, the Chief Executive Officer of LADA also shares, “On 16 September 2021, the government has announced the reopening of Langkawi as the pilot project for Malaysia’s domestic travel bubble, aimed at reviving the nation’s tourism industry. Langkawi has become the first holiday destination in Malaysia to open its doors to domestic tourists who are fully vaccinated. The visitors are also subject …

The third edition of the most popular virtual trade show the Gulf Travel Show kicks off tomorrow 12th October at 10am UAE time until 4pm until 14th October 2021. It will be an opportunity once again to network for three whole days where partners from the Middle East will meet those from across the world. One of the key events amidst the networking will be the interesting panel discussions with experts from the industry. Finding out the countries or borders that are open, what new initiatives are taken to welcome tourists, for the first time cruise tourism and where it is headed after the pandemic as there has been an increase of bookings for the cruise industry which has always been a niche market, now more than ever they have seen the rise of bookings and the new trends in the industry. Space tourism is another subject which seem to grow very close to the heart of the Middle East, as the first astronaut mission from UAE was a success, more interest is gained in the space tourism initiatives and these findings will be shared. Networking with the trade One on one business meetings is the strength in the one of kind event in its third succession, this time too it promises to host buyers with their personalized timings. They will engage and network with partners from travel agents, tour operators, tourism boards, airlines, hotels, travel management companies, international agencies and media, the event has kept the momentum of the industry on a proactive level. The success of the first two editions in November 2020 and March 2021 subsequently, led to its third edition of the region’s most popular virtual …

Mark your dates from 12th to 14th October 2021, 10am to 4pm to attend the third edition of the Gulf Travel Show, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority pledgedpartnership as the gold sponsor for the event. The Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority will include seven partners Air Arabia, SATA – Sharjah Airport Travel Agency, Sharjah Collection by Mysk, The Chedi Al Bait, Sharjah, Pullman Hotel & Resorts Sharjah, DoubleTree by Hilton Sharjah Waterfront Hotel & Residences and Centro Sharjah by Rotana Hotel. GTS 3.0 is known as the region’s most popular virtual event where real time networking with one on one business meetings, a fantastic line up of thought leadership discussions with key trade professionals and an opportunity to personalize and promote businesses within a three day period with partners from travel agents, tour operators, tourism boards, airlines, hotels, travel management companies, international agencies and media, the event has kept the momentum of the industry on a proactive level. The success of the first two editions in November 2020 and March 2021 subsequently, led to its third edition of the region’s most popular virtual event, the coveted Gulf Travel Show 2021. Specialized thought leadership discussions with industry experts  Industry experts share insights on the regional travel trends the latest most interested subjects such as Space tourism, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its vision 2030, women in hospitality leadership in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the latest insights from Malaysia heath travel, regional booking trends etc, just to name a few of the sessions. The exciting line up of experts from the fields of travel, aviation, and hospitality as they share their insightful views with engaging panel discussions. Buyer programme   The programme for hosted buyers is one of enthusiasm as each buyer has the opportunity to take one step further and secure their position to derive all pertinent information. Motivating engagement between the buyers …

Technology, sustainability, education & training, as well as equity in health, education, and economic opportunity to top the agenda. Popular hybrid format to continue – live and in-person event to take place 8-11 May 2022 – virtual edition will be on 17 and 18 May 2022. RX Global, organiser of Arabian Travel Market (ATM), has announced that the 2022 edition of its annual showcase, will focus on the future of international travel and tourism and the likely challenges and the benefits, for a resilient industry that is still coming to terms with the new normal. “COVID-19 has dominated our lives since March 2020 and continues to do so in many parts of the world. However, although international travel & tourism has learnt from past experiences and adapted in some cases almost seamlessly, we now have an ideal opportunity to look ahead to the future of our industry. “Dwelling too much on the pre-covid past, would not necessarily be productive, especially because so many industry parameters and social attitudes have since been completely reset,” said Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market. “Undoubtedly innovation through IoT, AI, AR, VR and improved connectivity overall, will change the face of our industry dramatically, however, there are other challenges, that we should address together and share industry best practice. “These issues include climate change and broader social challenges, as well as stakeholder attitudes towards equity in health, education and economic opportunity, particularly in the communities that we operate in,” added Curtis. Now in its 29th year and working in collaboration with the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) and Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), the event, will take place live and …