The number of pre-qualified buyers attending this year’s World Travel Market London increased by 11 per cent compared to last year, with organisers of the world’s most influential travel and tourism event thrilled to confirm 5,049 world class buyers came through its doors, over three-days. Returning to Excel London from November 5 to 7 2024, the 44th edition hosted 5,049 buyers, a substantial increase of 11 per cent, and almost 500 extra buyers, on the 4,560 buyers welcomed to the 2023 show. Bigger and better than ever, overall attendance at the event increased by six per cent to 46,316 individuals, with many travel professionals attending for between two and three days. To accommodate the additional visitors, the show increased in scale by almost eight per cent, adopting new halls within Excel London’s Level-0, where visitors could enjoy large new conference stages and hospitality areas. Aligned to the event expansion, a record number of exhibitors from the private sector were in attendance, with exhibitor participation growing to 4,047, another rise of eight per cent compared to last year. Continuing to deliver measurable value for attendees, confirmed business meetings also rose by a phenomenal 17 per cent in 2024, with 34,082 pre- scheduled meetings facilitated, in contrast to the 29,075 that took place last year. Hunger for change Leading conversations that will shape the travel and tourism industry throughout 2025, WTM London focussed on ‘Travelpower’ and how attendees, including tourism boards, hoteliers, transport services, technology brands, associations and experiences, can use their platforms for positive change. Reflecting this, the show’s exhilarating conference programme saw more than 200 world-class speakers deliver over 70 insightful sessions built around the topics of Diversity, Equity, Accessibility & Inclusion (DEAI), Geo-Economics, …

Emirates and the DP World Tour have inked an agreement for the airline to extend its status as the Official Airline and Marketing Partner of the leading professional golf Tour until the end of 2031. The airline currently supports an international roster of DP World Tour tournaments that cut across continents and culminate in the prestigious DP World Tour Championship, one of golf’s ultimate prizes, in its home of Dubai. His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group said: “We’re proud of our deep roots in golf, and of our role in boosting Dubai’s place as one of the world’s most sought-after destinations for top players and golfing enthusiasts with its world-class courses. Emirates’ continued investment in the DP World Tour will enable us to maintain our long-standing connection with golf fans across Europe, the US, Asia, Africa and Australia, and of course in our home of Dubai, where golf’s greatest names vie for the prestigious Race to Dubai title.” Guy Kinnings, Chief Executive Officer of the DP World Tour, added: “Emirates are one of our longest serving partners and I’m delighted that they have decided to extend our relationship until the end of the 2031 season. They are extremely experienced in the sports sponsorship landscape and this long-term agreement is strong validation of the ongoing strength of our partnership platform as golf’s global Tour. As an airline that connects the world, we continue to build campaigns that resonate with Emirates’ global customer base.” During the multi-year partnership, Emirates will continue to benefit from highly visible branding throughout the season. In addition, Emirates will enjoy marketing opportunities across the Tour’s media and …

Sabre Hospitality announced a new partnership with BookLogic  which marks a significant step in expanding the global distribution and retailing capabilities of both companies, focuses on driving growth in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) regions, with particular emphasis on United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Turkey as well as Qatar and Saudi Arabia. This partnership reflects both companies’ commitment to regional growth and innovation. The collaboration will begin by connecting up to 1,200 hotels from BookLogic’s portfolio to leading Global Distribution Systems (GDSs) and Internet Distribution Systems (IDS). Future plans include expanding to online travel agency (OTA) integration, BookLogic’s long-tail distribution channels, and comprehensive retail solutions. This layered approach allows BookLogic to scale its offerings and marketing distribution opportunities to meet the evolving needs of the hospitality industry, offering hoteliers a complete ecosystem and landscape for managing optimized operations, distribution, and efficient guest engagement. Sabre Hospitality and BookLogic also share strategic priorities in payment automation, dynamic packaging technology, alternative regional distribution, and guest experience, creating a strong foundation for future growth and innovation. “Partnering with BookLogic will enable Sabre Hospitality to expand its reach in key markets such as UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey,” said Frank Trampert, Senior Vice President, Global Managing Director at Sabre Hospitality. “By leveraging the power of our SynXis platform, BookLogic will offer best-in-class distribution and retailing services to independent hotels, helping them unlock new opportunities and drive operational efficiency in a competitive market.” Leveraging Sabre’s SynXis Retailing platform integrated with the BookLogic system, the partnership brings a robust set of features and connections to the MEA region, one of Sabre Hospitality’s key growth areas. SynXis, the leading global hospitality commerce and distribution platform, connects hotels to over …

Almosafer Business has become a member of the One Global Community, formed by World Travel Inc and Clarity as a community of world-leading travel management companies.  Almosafer Business is the first travel management company to join One Global from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, showcasing its innovative strategy to lead from the front. Almosafer Business caters to corporate and government entities with cutting-edge travel management solutions designed around innovation and technological advancements. The partnership will enable Almosafer Business to amplify its digital-first services and offerings to benefit its clients and suppliers. Khalid Alyahia, VP of Almosafer, said; “We are excited to join forces with One Global Community to expand our innovative services across our digital platforms. This marks a milestone for Almosafer Business as we embark on a new chapter together, leveraging our best-in-class local expertise in the region and One Global’s network of worldwide suppliers and partners to enhance our offerings to our customers. Collaborations and partnerships are key to Almosafer’s success today, and we look forward to widening our imprint as we deliver even more innovative services.” Jodie Gentles, Managing Director of One Global, said; “Almosafer’s market leadership within the Saudi tourism sphere and their on-ground collaborations with service providers will be an asset for us at One Global. We look forward to enhancing their global reach even as our community of travel management companies will gain from their best-in-class practices.” One Global – a global community of world-leading travel management companies – formed by two of the world’s largest – Clarity Travel Management and World Travel, Inc. – is powered by partnerships. With industry-leading technology supplemented by local experience, One Global offers customers and service providers access …

Etihad Airways has enhanced its digital platforms with new features that make travel easier and more personalised for guests. The improvements to etihad.com and the Etihad Airways mobile app introduce new market-specific payment options, expanded self-service capabilities, and enhanced loyalty programme features. Guests can now pay using local payment methods across key markets including India and Europe, easily modify their bookings through the improved self-service options, and seamlessly redeem Etihad Guest miles for flights and upgrades. The enhanced platforms also offer a more intuitive booking process with features such as calendar-based fare searches and local language options. In the Indian market specifically, customers benefit from Hindi language support, locally preferred payment options, and an innovative fare calendar that makes finding the best travel deals easier. These market-specific improvements reflect Etihad’s commitment to meeting the distinct needs of its global customer base. Looking ahead, Etihad Airways is focused on further enhancing the customer experience, with upcoming improvements to the check-in process and more accurate, timely travel updates. These changes will make the entire travel journey, from booking to arrival, even more seamless for guests. Frank Meyer, Chief Digital Officer at Etihad Airways, said: “Our commitment to digital innovation is unwavering. By consistently refining our digital touchpoints, we’ve been able to rapidly implement enhancements that directly benefit our customers. This agile approach allows us to stay at the forefront of the competitive airline industry and consistently exceed passenger expectations.” Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer at Etihad Airways, added: “The growth in our digital channels has been remarkable, with online direct sales increasing significantly across our key markets. The close collaboration between our Commercial and Digital Technology teams has enabled us to …

Khaled Shaker Director of Investment and Strategic Projects at Dubai Developments becomes DDP Face of the Future. He is a visionary leader known for his expertise in investment and strategic project management, specializing in sustainable growth initiatives. With over 15 years of experience across key Dubai government entities, he has a solid track record in driving governance, strategy, and risk mitigation. Focused on redefining real estate and hospitality landscapes through innovation, his mission is to foster impactful change.  

Andy Cuthbert General Manager at Jumeirah Creekside Hotel and Madinat Jumeirah Conference & Events was recognised as the DDP Gourmet Tourism Ambassador. A distinguished chef and industry leader, he has spent decades elevating the culinary arts in Dubai and beyond. Founding member and past president of the Emirates Culinary Guild, he was recently elected President of the World Association of Chefs Societies for 2024-2028.

Mamoun Hmidan Chief Business Officer at Wego became the DDP Trailblazer. An accomplished leader in digital travel, he has expanded businesses across the Middle East and India with a focus on high-growth strategies and market innovation. With expertise spanning from tech-driven Silicon Valley approaches to deep insights into the Middle Eastern travel industry, he’s made a lasting impact.

Founder, Chairman and CEO of Satguru Group of Companies, Anil Chandirani enters the Gallery of Legends at Arabian Travel Awards 2024. A visionary and dynamic leader, his company was set up in 1989. They allows their clients to prepare their own itinerary. Through a corporate booking tool they provide automated solutions to clients. In this way they offer a hassle-free method to complete their travel booking process. With a presence of 140 branches in 80 countries, his company has left no stone unturned to provide a host of facilities under one roof for the convenience of the travellers.

It was an evening of glitz and glamour as the seventh edition of the Arabian Travel Awards concluded recognising and honouring those who have significantly shaped Middle East’s travel, tourism, and hospitality sectors. Chief Guest for the event was Adnan Kazim, Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer Emirates Airline. San Jeet, Director of Arabian Travel Awards, shared, “Middle East has become a global leader in luxury and experiential tourism, offering everything from high-end resorts to unique cultural experiences like desert safaris and historic sites. Visitors are drawn to the region’s rich blend of modern luxury and authentic local experiences. At the same time, there’s a big focus on sustainable tourism. The Middle East is working hard to protect heritage sites, promote eco-friendly travel options, and create a balance between growth and environmental responsibility. Enjoy your success, but please make sure you innovate, improve and develop the travel industry. I’m sure everyone will be watching you very carefully. These awards are just not a reward but a responsibility on you all to grow this industry, and I’m sure with all your efforts, the Middle East will soon become the world’s most prominent Travel hub.”