Tourism Breaking News
It was two days of great success as the first-ever virtual event in the region, the Gulf Travel Show 2021 with Tourism Malaysia as diamond partner in the second edition ended its final day with 40 plus exhibitors, over 2100 one to one meetings, 1500 visitors from 43 countries which included travel agents, tour operators, tourism boards, airlines, hotels, travel management companies, international agencies and media.
Nasir Jamal Khan – CEO, Al Naboodah Travel, said, “Gulf Travel Show is the best platform to receive and share the latest industry updates. At present, there is no other platform that gives us this opportunity to convey messages and listen to each other. I saw the first edition, it was good, this edition is very good and I believe and I’m sure that the next edition will be either excellent or even better and continue to get better and better. Both yesterday and today, it was very constructive, I see more and more people willing and wishing to participate and connect with each other. UAE is a great example of how to tackle issues and how to bring business back to action. People should hear what we are doing in the UAE and how we have become one of the best or one of the top three countries in the world to open for tourism with strict precautions and policies in place.”
Local and international industry leaders shared interesting views and opinions with their insightful and engaging panel discussions. A regular analysis is of utmost importance at this point in time and ForwardKeys brought this to the forefront with exclusive insights on the Gulf Travel Show.
Tourism Malaysia, diamond partner for GTS 2021, were overwhelmed with the response and invited more partners to attend this event. “We participated in November 2020 for the first time at the Gulf Travel Show and due to the positive feedback received from the travel trade we pledged our support as diamond partner at this second edition with 10 selected partners from Malaysia showcasing their many offerings for two whole days,” said Manoharan Periasamy – Senior Director of International Promotion Asia & Africa Division – Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board.
UAE and the GCC nations have been driving vaccinations as a must for every citizen, SanJeet Director, DDP Group, feels that, “Brave risktakers have time and again lead the travel industry, GTS is a step in that direction to help connect creative minds who will adapt quickly and help us win in this new reality”.
Some tourism boards have been proactive and working towards ensuring that their destination becomes the top of the mind destination to visit once borders open hence Devika Jeet Director – DDP Group conducted a very insightful session on “Proactive approach to tourism; beneficial for growth? Proactive promotion vs. no promotions” with industry leaders Beverly Au Yong, Area Director, Singapore Tourism Board, Middle East, Daniel Rosado Bayon – Director –Spain Tourism GCC and Siobhan Naughton – Trade Executive Middle East & Asia – Tourism Ireland. Gulf Travel Show’s exclusive buyer programme gained the most traction during the show. Buyers appreciated the personalised services and enjoyed the competitive leader board. A lot of exciting giveaways kept the agents working till late evening.
