ATM 2024 will host over 200 speakers across more than 50 sessions, covering the full spectrum of industry from tourism and hospitality to aviation and MICE.  International policymakers and industry leaders are preparing to gather in the UAE for Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2024, where they will examine how entrepreneurship and innovation are reshaping the global tourism industry. The 31st edition of the exhibition will take place at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) from Monday 6 to Thursday 9 May. Over 200 speakers will participate in more than 50 sessions during the course of the four-day event. Experts from around the world will take to ATM’s Global Stage and Future Stage (formerly the Travel Tech Stage) to address some of the sector’s most pressing issues, including the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI), the future of aviation, how to stand out in the luxury segment, retail tourism, and sustainable travel. As the Middle East’s leading exhibition for inbound and outbound travel and tourism professionals, ATM 2024 will build on last year’s record-breaking 30th edition with its theme: ‘Empowering Innovation: Transforming Travel Through Entrepreneurship’. Exhibitors and attendees will have the chance to explore new market opportunities, the benefits of collaboration and connectivity, how to attract investment and more. Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said: “The future of the global travel industry will be shaped by innovators and entrepreneurs, which is why we are so excited to shine a spotlight on the latest insights and technologies at ATM 2024. From startups to established brands, this year’s exhibition will showcase fresh thinking on how the sector can enhance customer experiences, drive efficiency and deliver positive economic impacts across the Middle …

The World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) 2024 Economic Impact Research (EIR) has revealed a record-breaking year for Travel & Tourism in the UAE, with new peaks achieved across key metrics including the sector’s GDP contribution, jobs and visitor spend. Last year, the sector grew by more than a quarter (26%) to contribute a record-breaking AED 220BN to the UAE’s GDP representing 11.7% of the entire economy. This exceeded the previous record set in 2019 by almost 15% and underscores the sector’s pivotal role in the nation’s economic framework. Jobs supported by Travel & Tourism grew by 41,000 to reach more than 809,000, representing one in nine jobs in the country. Although the jobs lost during the pandemic were fully recovered in 2022, today’s announcement shows sector jobs have now increased 11% since the 2019 highpoint. The UAE’s Travel & Tourism sector is now soaring past all previous records, testament to the country’s commitment to attracting tourists from around the world to destinations such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Ras Al Khaimah. While domestic visitor spending fully recovered in 2022, it continued to grow last year to reach more than AED 55.5BN which is almost 40% higher than 2019. International visitor spending surged by almost 40% in 2023 to reach over AED 175BN, 12% above 2019 levels, reflecting the UAE’s enduring appeal as a top global tourism destination. Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO said; “The UAE’s Travel & Tourism sector has not only recovered; it soared to new heights, establishing itself as a cornerstone of the nation’s economic landscape. “The remarkable growth in both employment and visitor spending is a testament to the UAE’s strategic vision and commitment to enhancing its Travel …

InterContinental Residences Abu Dhabi, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ luxury & lifestyle portfolio, has officially opened its doors in the affluent neighbourhood of Al Bateen. Offering a new take on upscale living in the heart of Abu Dhabi, InterContinental Residences Abu Dhabi is equipped with everything a guest could need. The residence’s 130 fully furnished units boast gorgeous textures and unique contemporary décor, complemented by a range of premium amenities along with spectacular views of the marina and glittering cityscape. Residents and guests can enjoy a wide range of recreational spaces, including a fitness centre, a private beach and pool, alongside a host of award dining destinations, such as Byblos Sur Mer, Cho Gao, Chamas Churrascaria & Bar, and Belgian Beer Café, all within walking distance. The grand opening unfolded with a meticulously planned sequence of events, including a magnificent projection mapping show, live performances, a stunning firework show, and more, creating an unforgettable experience for all attendees. The list of invitees included a host of diplomats and senior executives, in addition to prominent figures from IHG Hotels & Resorts and the National Corporation for Tourism & Hotels (NCT&H), the owner of the property. On April 18th at 7 pm, the event commenced with a magnificent projection mapping show covering the entire front side of the property, showcasing a sequence of striking visuals. Guests relished the welcoming atmosphere at the Sea Lounge, which not only featured carefully curated décor and a delightful ambience but also offered sweeping marina views from the terrace. A series of enchanting performances from a DJ, violinist, and saxophonist added to the evening’s charm, captivating guests with their musical talents. A ribbon-cutting ceremony took place …

Qatar Airways announces the latest expansion of its network to include Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), enabling greater frequencies and increased capacity to Luanda, Angola.  This latest network expansion  provides passengers with greater travel choices within a key region of Africa,  opening up a new entry point for international travel from Africa to China, Europe and the India Subcontinent using Doha, Qatar, as a gateway. The addition of Kinshasa increases the number of destinations in Africa served by the award-winning airline to twenty-nine. Starting from the first of June 2024, Luanda will see a frequency increase from one weekly flight to four weekly flights with a combined service to Kinshasa which Qatar Airways will serve for the first time. For a world-class experience, the new route will be served by a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, equipped with 22 Business Class seats and 232 Economy Class seats. Qatar Airways Chief Commercial Officer, Mr. Thierry Antinori, said: “We have seen significant milestones in our 2024 network expansion and this latest addition is particularly special, as it continues our strategic goal of increasing our footprint in Africa.” “The inclusion of Kinshasa in our network is the latest manifestation of our efforts to improve connectivity to Africa. Qatar Airways has showcased its commitment to the region by providing passengers in Africa with greater choice to explore different corners of the world through our network and our hub in Doha, Hamad International Airport.” Flight Schedule: (All local time) Flight QRQ1491   Doha (DOH) to Kinshasa (FIH) – QR1491 departing Doha at 02:45 and arriving to Kinshasa at 08:10.   Kinshasa (FIH) to Luanda (LAD) – QR1491 departing Kinshasa at 09:40 and arriving to Luanda at 10:55.   …

Air India announced that it will deploy its brand-new A350 aircraft on the busy Delhi-Dubai route this summer, marking the aircraft’s debut on short-haul international flights. Starting 1 May 2024, Air India guests flying between Delhi and Dubai can experience the A350 in its bold new livery. Operating as AI995/996, the aircraft is scheduled to depart Delhi daily at 20:45hrs, arriving at 22:45hrs in Dubai. The return flight departs Dubai next day at 00:15hrs and arrives in Delhi at 04:55hrs. All timings local. With this, Air India becomes the only carrier to operate the A350 between India and Dubai. The A350 seats on the Delhi-Dubai route are available for reservation on Air India’s website and mobile app or via travel agents. Air India’s A350 aircraft feature 28 private suites with full-flat beds in Business, 24 seats in a dedicated Premium Economy cabin offering extra legroom and other enhancements, and 264 spacious seats in Economy. All seats on the A350 come with the latest-generation Panasonic eX3 in-flight entertainment system and HD screens that offer more than 2,200 hours of entertainment content from around the world. Air India started inducting the A350s earlier this year, which have since operated flights within India for crew familiarisation and regulatory compliance purposes. Air India currently operates a total of 72 flights a week to Dubai from five Indian cities, of which 32 flights are from Delhi. SCHEDULE OF AIR INDIA’S A350 FLIGHTS BETWEEN DELHI AND DUBAI Effective 01 May 2024 Flight No. Days of Operation Sector Departure Arrival AI995 Daily Delhi-Dubai 2045 Hrs 2245 Hrs AI996 Daily Dubai-Delhi 0015 Hrs 0455 Hrs  

The Ministry of Tourism launched it tourism investment enablers program as they participated in the International Hotel Investment Forum (IHIF) in Berlin as part of its ongoing efforts to showcase and introduce investors to the promising opportunities in the Kingdom’s tourism and hospitality sector. The ministry has set up a pavilion at the IHIF’s accompanying exhibition to showcase opportunities in the Kingdom’s tourism and hospitality sector. It has also participated in panel sessions and introductory meetings with international investors in the forum. Participating in the panel sessions, Deputy Minister for Investment Attraction at the Ministry of Tourism, Mahmoud Abdulhadi, showcased the promising opportunities that the Kingdom provides to international and local investors in the tourism sector, explaining that the TIEP is an integral component of the strategic objectives of the Saudi Vision 2030 and has been designed to enhance the Kingdom’s position as a global tourist destination, while providing excellent investment opportunities for local investors, indicating that the initiative aims to increase and diversify tourism offers and raise the occupancy capacity of tourist hospitality facilities. He stated that the value of private investments attracted through TIEP has reached around SAR 42 billion ($11 billion), with returns estimated at SAR16 billion ($4 billion) on the Kingdom’s gross domestic product by 2030. This indicates that the initiative will contribute to providing up to 120,000 additional job opportunities by 2030 and enhance tourism infrastructure and hospitality facilities in the Kingdom.

IDeaS announced it has expanded its relationship with the Cheval Collection to a total of ten properties. Building on a strong, established relationship from successful implementations of G3 RMS at its Edinburgh properties, IDeaS’ capabilities helped clear the way for wider adoption within the Cheval portfolio. As Cheval expanded its portfolio, the management team was keen on maximizing the overall efficiency and effectiveness of its revenue strategies. Implementing G3 RMS helps eliminate manual processes and focus their efforts on addressing impactful outlier scenarios. When they needed an RMS that could optimize revenue for guests with varied lengths of stay and help evaluate the impact of potential group business, a small but growing part of their business mix, they turned to their RMS partner, IDeaS. • Trust built on a foundation of automated, effective RMS—Cheval appreciates G3 RMS’ core functionality at its existing properties. With implementation, it was able to deploy automated revenue management strategies efficiently and effectively and improve revenue performance. • Revenue optimization for varied length of stay offerings – Cheval Collection’s luxury serviced apartments have the flexibility to operate on a hybrid model, where units can be booked for varying lengths of stay—from standard overnights to week- or months-long bookings. G3 RMS’ ability to take a holistic view of demand for all product types and automatically drive revenue maximization decisions was a key factor as it helps to simplify complex revenue management decisions. • Streamlined group business evaluation – Group business represents a small but significant and growing portion of Cheval Collection’s business. Cheval valued G3 RMS’ Group Pricing Evaluation feature as it provides an easy-to-use displacement analysis that helps their commercial teams understand the potential revenue impact …

NEOM kicked off the China leg of its global ‘Discover NEOM’ tour with its showcase in Beijing and Shanghai, with over 500 senior business and industry leaders in attendance. The tour began in Beijing on April 15, followed by Shanghai on April 17. Organized in partnership with CCPIT Beijing and CCPIT Shanghai, the events included a series of presentations by NEOM’s leadership team, showcasing on-the-ground progress and milestones to date, as well as details of NEOM’s various economic sectors. The events highlighted opportunities for Chinese companies to engage and invest in NEOM, with a number of companies expressing significant interest and discussing tangible next steps with NEOM leadership. The agenda also included a construction-focused forum that explored the vast number of opportunities available for Chinese construction companies. Over 100 companies participated in the forum and heard about the current onsite construction progress across NEOM and its regions. A private showcase, entitled ‘Discover NEOM: A New Future by Design’, was a highlight of the events, providing guests with an immersive experience that explored THE LINE, the 170-kilometer-long city that will be the future of urban living; Oxagon, which is redefining the traditional industrial model; Trojena, the mountain resort of NEOM, and finally, Sindalah, a luxury island destination in the Red Sea that will be open to the public later this year. Nadhmi Al-Nasr, CEO, NEOM, said: “We are grateful to CCPIT Beijing and CCPIT Shanghai for supporting our visit to China and for the opportunity to present NEOM’s vision. To date, NEOM has already engaged with over 15 major Chinese businesses and invested in a number of Chinese startups to support the growth and diversification of NEOM. Collaboration with China will continue …

New reports from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and Microsoft highlights the transformative power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its role in shaping the future of Travel & Tourism. The final two reports of a series on Artificial Intelligence from WTTC entitled “Responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI): Overview of AI Risks, Safety & Governance” and “Artificial Intelligence (AI): Global Strategies, Policies & Regulations,” underscore a commitment to a digital future that prioritises safety, ethical considerations, and responsible AI adoption. Launched during the global tourism body’s participation at the UN General Assembly in New York, these reports mark significant milestones in WTTC’s mission to promote innovation and excellence in customer experiences through the safe and trustworthy integration of AI. “Responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI)” delves into the potential risks associated with AI deployment and offers strategies for establishing frameworks that promote transparency, accountability, and fairness. From addressing bias and discrimination to ensuring human oversight of AI systems, this report empowers organisations to harness the power of AI responsibly. In the fourth and final instalment, “Artificial Intelligence (AI): Global Strategies, Policies & Regulations,” WTTC provides a detailed overview of the AI ecosystem across key countries and international organisations. It shows how policymakers are navigating the AI landscape and shaping regulations and strategies to foster AI innovation, while ensuring its ethical and responsible use. Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “In a rapidly evolving landscape, AI emerges as a catalyst for positive change. The insights provided in these reports demonstrate that AI is not just a technological advancement; it is a strategic tool that can personalise customer experiences, drive sustainable improvements, and shape the future of Travel & Tourism. “AI is already being used across our …

The Minister of Tourism and Chairman of the Executive Council of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Ahmed bin Aqeel Al-Khateeb minister added that Saudi Arabia successfully welcomed over 27 million international tourists in 2023, highlighting ongoing efforts to develop plans and strategies to host more than 70 million international tourists by 2030. Minister of Tourism and Chairman of the Executive Council of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Ahmed bin Aqeel Al-Khateeb, led the Saudi delegation participating in the UN General Assembly Sustainability Week held at the UN headquarters in New York City. UNGA President Dennis Francis and UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili attended the event. According to SPA, during the opening session, the minister highlighted the Kingdom’s efforts over the past two years, serving as the Chair of the Executive Council of the UNWTO, to enhance the representation of the travel and tourism sector in international forums. Al-Khateeb also indicated that this support has contributed to launching initiatives in collaboration with Saudi Arabia, such as the Best Tourism Villages award, the Tourism Open Minds initiative, and the formation of a team to redesign the future of tourism. Moreover, he noted that Saudi Arabia’s efforts have led to the inclusion of the tourism sector in the agenda of the UNGA Sustainability Week. He emphasized that under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, and HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Crown Prince, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Kingdom has become one of the most promising and attractive tourist destinations globally. He noted that the Kingdom topped the UNWTO’s list of major tourist destinations in terms …