Arabian Travel Market opens its doors this morning for four days of business networking opportunities and insightful seminar sessions.
Organisers claim deals worth over US$2.5 billion will be agreed.
Now in its 25th year, the 2018 edition will welcome over 2,500 exhibiting companies and an expected 40,000 visitors, with over 150 countries represented, 65 national pavilions, and more than 100 new exhibitors set to make their ATM debut.
Building on the success of last year, ATM 2018, which takes place at the Dubai World Trade Centre from April until 25th, will showcase the largest exhibition of regional and global hotel brands in the history of ATM, with hotels comprising 20 per cent of the total show area.
Simon Press, senior exhibition director, ATM said: “Arabian Travel Market continues to be the preferred route to market for many international and regional hospitality brands and the increase in hotel exhibition space in 2018 reflects the hundreds of new property and brand launches we have seen during the last 12 months.
“Over the coming years, we will see these new properties prosper as millions more tourists visit the region for the first time.
“The last 12 months brought unprecedented developments in major markets and the region is poised for further great developments in 2018.”
Celebrating its 25th year, ATM 2018 will adopt Responsible Tourism – including sustainable travel trends – as its official show theme, integrating it across all show verticals and activities, including advice clinics and focused seminar sessions, featuring dedicated exhibitor participation.
Press added: “The tourism industry in the GCC has grown ten-fold and more since we first opened our show doors 25 years ago.
“With a host of top speakers lined up and panel sessions for ATM 2018, we will be looking back on the tourism revolution in the Middle East over the last quarter of a century and also forecasting what lies ahead for the industry, with continuing geopolitical tensions across the globe, economic uncertainties, huge technological advances and, of course, the increasing trend of responsible tourism.”
This year, ATM has partnered with International Hotel Investment Conference organisers to present the inaugural Destination Investment panel.
Taking place on the ATM Global Stage, the session will discuss what drives investment in travel destinations across the Middle East and neighbouring regions.
Perennial calendar favourites at ATM 2018 include the ultra-innovative Travel Tech Show, ILTM Arabia and the Travel Agent Academy as well as the Buyers’ Club and the Wellness and Spa Lounge, both of which offer excellent opportunities to meet and network with likeminded individuals and organisations.
Issam Kazim, chief executive, Dubai Corporation for Tourism & Commerce Marketing, said: “This year marks the 25th edition of Arabian Travel Market and we are extremely pleased to be able to extend our support once more.
“In 2017, sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, prime minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai, launched Dubai government’s 10X Initiative and as a result our projects and initiatives reflect this vision, designed to leverage new technologies and build on our ‘digital, mobile and social first’ agenda.
“Along with our partners on the Dubai stand we look forward to presenting just some of these immersive experiences – from witnessing Dubai in virtual reality, to our partners from Expo providing insights into the masterplan and much more.”