The climate crisis was under the spotlight during the opening session of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2023 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. The discussion gathered tourism and economy figureheads from across the Middle East region to address how the travel industry needs to adapt to tackle the issue of climate change and meet current regulations by implementing new sustainable policies, funds and support. Taking place on the Global Stage at ATM, the discussion was moderated by Eleni Giokos, Anchor and Correspondent CNN, and the prestigious line-up of speakers included Sujit Mohanty, Regional Division for the Arab States, United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR); Dr Abed Al Razzaq Arabiyat, Managing Director, Jordan Tourism Board; and H.E. Walid Nassar, Minister of Tourism, Lebanon. According to Sustainable Travel International, tourism is responsible for approximately 8% of global carbon emissions from transport, food and beverage, accommodation and related goods and services. The opening session at ATM looked at the industry’s crucial role in climate change – a particularly pertinent topic as the UAE prepares to host COP28 later this year. The UNDRR works closely with governments, the private sector and stakeholders across the globe, including 22 Arab nations, to reduce disaster risk. Building a picture of the current situation, Mohanty said, “Globally, in the last 20 years, there have been $2.97 trillion in economic losses due to disasters. Climate change is leading to more frequent and severe climate-related hazards such as floods, heatwaves, cyclones and hurricanes. In turn, the tourism industry loses enormous amounts of money due to these hazards.  Therefore the return on investment is clear – invest now to help protect the future.” Jordan is one of the highest-ranking …

Emirates is showcasing its latest roster of innovative products and fan-favourites at this year’s 30th edition of Arabian Travel Market, which got underway on 1 May. A milestone year for the event, which is celebrating its third decade of connecting the travel industry, this year also marks Emirates 30th year of partnership and commitment to ATM. When the exhibition first opened its doors thirty years ago, Emirates flew 15 aircraft to 30 cities and carried close to 2 million passengers. Today, Emirates is the world’s largest international airline serving over 140 destinations on more than 200 wide-body aircraft, connecting tens of millions of travellers across the globe each year, and making Dubai one of the most globally connected cities for travel, tourism and business. Over the years, the airline’s presence has expanded and evolved at ATM. In 2007, Emirates unveiled its huge ‘Globe’ stand, a captivating three-storey spherical structure which literally ‘turned’,  featuring  the airline’s industry-first private suite in First Class on its Airbus A340-500 in a specially recreated area.  Later, the 9.5 metre tall structure focused on the airline’s tremendous network expansion featuring Emirates destinations, and on the fringes of the stand, its cabin products on the A380 and Boeing 777 across all classes, as well as its sports sponsorships around the world. In 2016, the airline unveiled its ‘Infinite Possibilities’ stand at ATM, a futuristic display showcasing its industry leading products and services for visitors to experience before boarding their next Emirates flight. Standing at 8.5 metres tall and taking almost 9 days to assemble, Emirates’ ‘Infinite Possibilities’ stand was one of the tallest exhibitor stands at ATM, weighing in at 166 tonnes, equivalent to one third of …

One of the key outbound destinations for Middle East travellers, Thailand held its press conference at the opening of Arabian Travel Market in Dubai. Speaking to media, Yuthasak Supasorn – TAT Governor reiterated, that responsible tourism and sustainability in tourism will be the main direction in the future. “Earlier this year, Thailand Tourism announced 17 sustainable tourism goals divided into four main categories to be incorporated and serviced over the year and beyond. From sustainable development goals it goes on to sustainable tourism goals, which focus on awareness, education and accessibility, the second main criteria is the socio-economic way in which the inclusivity and development of local sourcing to waste management play a key role. Thirdly the aspect of developing cultural strategies such as promoting sustainable destinations and local communities and the last segment which is the impact of environment a key factor in supporting tourism climate action and promoting land tourism ecosystems. The growing interest of the Middle East market in sustainable travel, shopping, health and wellness activities, we wish to deliver fresh travel experiences through Thailand soft power 5F: Food, Fight, Fashion, Film, and Festival, while highlighting Thailand’s strength in nature, and Thainess. TAT aims to create a meaningful travel experience that will not only be meaningful for travelers, but also for the local communities and the environment. In terms of the ATM exhibitors, we will have a total of 46 exhibitors from Thailand participating in the event.” He further shared the visitor numbers from the region, “In 2022, Thailand welcomed approximately 314,882 Middle East visitors, with nearly 100,000 visitors from Saudi Arabia, and around 66,000 visitors from the UAE. Visitors from the Gulf countries have a high average length …

His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai, has officially inaugurated Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2023, marking the start of the 30th edition of the Middle East’s largest travel and tourism exhibition. His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum was accompanied at the inauguration by Vasyl Zhygalo, Portfolio Director, RX Global; Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director Middle East, ATM; and a host of other VIPs who embarked on a tour of the show floor as the four-day event got underway in Dubai. Taking place from Monday 1 to Thursday 4 May at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), exhibitor participation at this year’s event has seen a 27% rise compared to ATM 2022. The 30th edition of the show, which will welcome an anticipated 34,000 attendees over the course of the next four days, is hosting more than 2,000 exhibitors and representatives from over 150 nations. In line with its theme, ‘Working Towards Net Zero’, ATM 2023 is enabling global tourism professionals to forge new connections, share knowledge and showcase innovations with the potential to expedite the sector’s journey towards decarbonisation. Day one of ATM 2023 includes 20 sessions across its Global Stage, Travel Tech Stage and brand-new Sustainability Hub. In addition to the opening Ministerial Debate, highlights include Technology: The Enabler of Sustainable Travel, Sustainability in the Travel Industry: Who Pays? and Enhancing the Customer Experience Through AI. In addition, the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance is addressing the importance of protecting the locations, livelihoods and communities in which hotels are located as part of the Achieving Net Positive Hospitality session. Looking ahead to day two, John Strickland will engage in conversation with …

The Ajman Department of Tourism Development (ADTD) and its partners in the travel, tourism, and hospitality sectors are set to present pioneering and secure tourism projects focused on sustainability at the upcoming Arabian Travel Market (ATM) held from May 1 to 4, 2023 at Dubai World Trade Center. These projects align with the sustainable tourism guidelines envisioned in Ajman Tourism Vision 2030 – which will see the emirate emerge as a major international tourist destination in the world with a focus on sustainable and eco-tourism projects. The recently issued regulations by ADTD on Holiday Homes, which come into effect this May, are set to boost the tourism industry and enable individual homeowners and corporates alike to register their properties for short-term leases to tourists. Ajman has been named the fourth safest city in the world for 2023, bypassing several regional peer cities by Numbeo.com, a global research portal, that will add to its tourism attractions, especially to international tourists who prefers to visit safest destinations for leisure travel. Tourism in Ajman has been growing steadily due to the emirate’s growing number of attractions that includes pristine natural beaches, mangroves, a growing number of hotels, resorts, restaurants, traditional markets, entertainment facilities and new tourism developments that cater to both domestic and international  tourists. The emirate of Ajman, hosts 44 hotel establishments ranging from 1-star to 5-star hotels, resorts and luxury hotel apartments with 3,997 hotel rooms and 250 tourism establishments that serve a growing number of regional and international tourists. Following a stellar growth in 2022, Ajman hotels and serviced apartments recorded a 3 percent growth in hotel revenues in the first quarter of 2023 compared to the corresponding period in 2022 …

Wego revealed its regular “Middle East Traveller Destination Leaderboard” that showcases the relative popularity of global destinations with Middle East travellers. Wego users search for tens of millions of trips each quarter and it’s this flight and hotel data that has been analysed to determine the relative destination rankings. The leaderboard announced today covers the first quarter of 2023. Global Destination Trends Egypt retains its #1 position as the top destination for international travel for MENA travellers in Q1 2023. “We are excited to share our MENA destination report for this quarter. Our data shows that Egypt remains the top destination of choice for MENA travelers for what the country offers from a mix of history, culture, and adventure for every type of traveler. We also observe that the UK continues to rank as the top European destination out of the Middle East. At Wego, we are proud to connect travelers with the best of the countries, and we look forward to continuing to work with leading partners to promote their unique tourism offerings”, said Mamoun Hmedan, CCO and MD, MENA, and India, Wego. Rounding up the top three is India. The country is a major source market for foreign talent and labor for the Gulf region and has consistently held the top spots for international air travel. Going as far back as 2014, Egypt has consistently been either #1 or #2 and India has invariably taken the #3 spot since 2016. As is usually the case, we saw more movements in the bottom half of the top 10 with Kuwait overtaking Turkey for the 5th spot and Jordan moving up two spots to rank 8th overall. The lone rank …

Turkish Airlines, flying to more countries than any other airline, is bringing the UEFA Champions League vibe to their stand at the Arabian Travel Market 2023, complete with a display relating to the tournament. The centerpiece of the stand will be a life-size replica of the Champions League trophy, gleaming under the bright lights and drawing the visitors for photo opportunities with the trophy exhibit. Visitors to the Turkish Airlines stand also can enter a competition on the airlines Instagram page on @TurkishAirlinesArabia.  Two winners will get tickets to the semifinals of the tournament together with airline tickets to enjoy the excitement and energy of a packed stadium watching professional players dribble, pass, and score. At this year’s ATM, the airline is reinforcing connectivity in response to growing customer demand for a stopover in Istanbul on their way to different parts of the world. The airline has won multiple awards for their product and service offering recently including accolades such as the Apex Best Seat Comfort in Europe, Apex Best Food & Beverage in Europe, Skytrax Worlds Best in Business Class Catering, Skytrax Best Airline in Europe as well as Skytrax Best Airline in Southern Europe. Turkish Airlines connects travellers to over 340 destinations worldwide (289 international and 53 domestic) while maintaining the utmost care for a safe and healthy travel experience.

Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) will showcase the diversity of Dubai’s destination offering, shine a light on the city’s sustainability platforms and highlight new initiatives designed to further strengthen the tourism industry during the milestone 30th edition of Arabian Travel Market. This year’s ATM, from 1 – 4 May 2023 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, will focus on responsible tourism during the UAE’s Year of Sustainability with the event hosted under the theme ‘Working towards Net Zero’. During the event, DET will highlight how the city’s tourism industry is supporting the journey towards achieving the UAE’s Net Zero 2050, a strategic initiative with the ultimate goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050, whilst further stimulating the positive tourism growth trajectory. More than 122 partners and representatives from government entities, hotels, destination management companies and tour operators will join DET at an expanded Dubai stand at ATM 2023 to welcome and interact with visitors to the region’s leading travel event. The Dubai stand will also be home to key government bodies and representatives of major industry stakeholders including Dubai Culture, General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (DGRFA), Dubai Health Authority, in addition to Museum of the Future, Expo City Dubai and Majid al Futtaim. His Excellency, Issam Kazim, CEO, Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, commented: “This year’s ATM marks a turning point in terms of bringing sustainability to the forefront of the global tourism industry. Since the inception of ATM, Dubai has made extraordinary progress under the guidance of our visionary leadership in building the city’s global reputation as a leading tourism destination, offering an authentic, diverse and sustainable tourism proposition.  During the event …

In our journey towards net zero carbon emissions, TravTalk Middle East launches its first Carbon Neutral Edition while pledging to make its operations carbon neutral. This venture was carried out in partnership with Climate and Conservation Consortium. The travel industry has long been associated with glamour and adventure, but it is also responsible for a significant amount of carbon emissions. With global travel on the rise, it is more important than ever for the industry to address its carbon footprint. According to a report by IATA, the aviation industry accounted for 2.4% of global CO2 emissions in 2018. While this may seem like a small percentage, it is important to remember that emissions from aviation are increasing at a much faster rate than other sectors, with a projected 300% increase by 2050. The travel industry as a whole, including aviation, cruise ships, and ground transportation, accounts for roughly 8% of global carbon emissions. This is a significant amount, especially when considering the impact of climate change on our planet. Thankfully, there are steps being taken to address this issue. The aviation industry has made significant progress in developing more fuel-efficient planes, with some airlines even experimenting with sustainable biofuels. Additionally, carbon offset programs allow travellers to voluntarily contribute to reducing their carbon footprint. However, there is still much more that needs to be done. TravTalk, a leading B2B travel, tourism and hospitality magazine and the industry’s leading voice, becomes the first magazine in the industry to become carbon neutral with the help of South Asia’s leading sustainability consulting company , The Climate & Conservation Consortium. To achieve this, CCC worked with the Magazine’s publishers to calculate the carbon emissions that …

Rayna Tours announced its plans for expansion into new destinations, along with the appointment of a CEO to lead the company’s tourism businesses sector. The company’s expansion plans include establishing new destinations in the main European, Asian, and Middle Eastern countries, to create a comprehensive fully fledge products for the travel and tourism industry and communities. Since its inception in 2009, Rayna Tours has established itself as a leading player in the tourism and hospitality industry in UAE. With a major focus on adopting technology across all facets of its businesses and a commitment to excellence, Rayna Tours has been at the forefront of creating innovative travel solutions for its partners across the globe. To accelerate its growth strategy, Rayna Tours is pleased to welcome Mr. Senthil Velan, an accomplished leader in the tourism industry, as its new CEO. With over two decades of a proven track record of success in driving business growth in some of the leading DMCs in the region. Velan is ideally positioned to lead the company’s expansion into new markets and to build upon the company’s strong reputation. Mr. Velan will take over the CEO duties from the company owner and founder Mr. Manoj Tulsani who will continue to oversee the whole group of companies with a major focus on initiatives such as driving overseas expansions in addition to leading the innovation and technology developments across the group. In his new role, Mr. Velan will be responsible for accelerating the growth of Rayna Tours and its various tourism ventures, assets, and brands across the Middle East. He will oversee the company’s operations, strategic planning, and business development initiatives. “We are thrilled to welcome Senthil to …