Category Archives: Exhibitions

With three weeks remaining until Arabian Travel Market (ATM), the event is on course to attract a record number of high value visitors, with registrations up 104% compared to the same time last year, reinforcing its position as an essential platform for travel trade professionals around the world. International markets account for a substantial 52% of total visitor registrations, highlighting the event’s global appeal and underscoring the importance of fostering cross-cultural connections and collaborations. Meanwhile, visitors from the UAE and GCC contribute significantly to the total figures, accounting for 48% of registrations. Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said: “Increased international attendance strengthens the global profile of ATM, providing a vital boost to the local economy and driving revenue in sectors such as hospitality, retail, and travel, thereby demonstrating the impact and strength of business events. This year’s edition is expected to see notable growth in participation from key regions, reflecting demand from across the global tourism industry.” The top five registered countries for ATM 2025 to date include the UAE, India, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UK. India, with its thriving outbound travel market and expanding aviation sector, remains a significant source of demand for the travel industry. Egypt’s tourism revenues reached US$15.3 billion in 2024, representing a more than 100% increase over the last decade, with the government setting a target of 30 million tourists by 2032. Major tourism investments in Saudi Arabia, driven by Vision 2030 initiatives, have positioned the Kingdom as a strong player in the global travel market. The UK remains a crucial hub for both inbound and outbound tourism, with a significant presence in business travel and among tour operators. Last year, ATM …

Taking as its slogan ’The World of Travel Lives Here’, ITB Berlin 2025 kicked off with fully booked halls and a record number of 5,800 national and international exhibitors (5 per cent more than in 2024) from over 170 countries underline the global reach of the World’s Leading Travel Trade Show, while the ITB Buyers Circle with its 1,300 senior buyers is an indicator of the industry’s upturn. Particularly in the key travel segments of Cruises and Travel Technology for example, but also in the dynamic markets of Southern Europe, Asia, Africa and the Arab states, there has been significant growth. Albania is presenting itself as the host country with the slogan ’Albania All Senses’. Taking as its heading ’The Power of Transition Lives Here’, the ITB Berlin Convention will address the challenges and opportunities of a changing market with high-profile speakers from companies including Expedia, DERTOUR, Google, Uber, Booking.com, Microsoft Advertising, Wyndham, UN Tourism, TUI, Ryanair and many more. The latest World Travel Monitor® findings of IPK International reflect the industry’s positive mood.

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) is participating in ITB Berlin 2025 showcasing Abu Dhabi’s dynamic tourism landscape, DCT Abu Dhabi leads the delegation of 40 partners and stakeholders at the Experience Abu Dhabi stand, including Yas Island, Air Arabia, Ethara, ITL, Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi, Orient Tours, Saadiyat Island, Al Dhafra Hotel, teamLab Phenomena and many more. DCT Abu Dhabi will also share expert insights on the MICE sector, with Abdulla Yousuf, Director of International Operations, delivering a keynote and participating in a panel discussion on industry trends at 4:00 PM on 4 March at Hall 7.1b Green Stage. Located within Hall 2.2, at Stands 200 and 200A, DCT Abu Dhabi will make key announcements during the event, reinforcing its commitment to building a robust, future-focused tourism and cultural ecosystem. Abdulla Yousuf, Director of International Operations at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “Our presence at ITB Berlin reflects DCT Abu Dhabi’s commitment to promote, protect, and progress the emirate on a global stage, fostering key partnerships that bring tangible benefits to residents and visitors, as well as long-term opportunities within the industry. Each conversation and connection is an opportunity to highlight Abu Dhabi as a premier tourism and cultural hub, while paving the way for future collaborations that drive sustainable growth for our stakeholders.” One of DCT Abu Dhabi’s key launches is the Welcome Pass, delivered in collaboration with Alike, a social travel marketplace. Provided at Abu Dhabi airport on arrival, this fully digital, seamless booking and redemption solution will enable travellers to explore Abu Dhabi’s unique range of cultural sites and entertainment attractions and with greater ease and convenience. DCT Abu Dhabi is also …

According to the STR report, aggregated Revenue per Available Room (RevPAR) across Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE last year rose by 5.4% compared to 2023, fuelled primarily by an increase in occupancy rates. In 2024, occupancy rates across the GCC reached 69.5%, surpassing the levels observed prior to the pandemic, underscoring the region’s successful efforts to establish itself as a world-class tourism and investment hub. The hospitality sector in the GCC is experiencing a strong resurgence, with new data compiled by STR on behalf of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) revealing significant growth across the region in 2024. Key government initiatives, notably Saudi Vision 2030 and the UAE’s ‘We the UAE 2031’ campaign have played a pivotal role in this transformation by promoting economic diversification, enhancing infrastructure, and elevating the overall tourism experience. These efforts aim to boost occupancy and establish the GCC as a competitive player in the global tourism landscape. The research also found that Average Daily Rate (ADR) grew by 2.4% in the GCC last year, with the luxury hotel rooms segment significantly contributing to ADR growth. The region has added more than 35,000 hotel rooms over the last 10 years, with 19% of rooms now belonging to the luxury category, growing from 16% a decade ago. STR’s report suggests that hotel rooms under all phases of development will continue to be dominated by the luxury segment, stating that with more than 33,000 rooms under development, Saudi Arabia alone has more luxury rooms in the pipeline than currently exist in the country. Commenting on STR’S latest research, Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said: “Luxury hospitality continues to be a driving force …

With the global travel technology market currently valued at $10.7 billion, this year’s traveltech exhibitors at the Arabian Travel Awards will witness an increase of 25% year-on-year with leaders and innovators from around the world are preparing to steer the future of the tourism industry at the 32nd edition of Arabian Travel Market (ATM), which will take place at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) from 28 April to 1 May 2025. ATM 2025’s extensive conference programme and exhibition reflect this year’s theme, ‘Global Travel: Developing Tomorrow’s Tourism Through Enhanced Connectivity’. With Travel Tech exhibitors experiencing year-on-year growth of 25% and the segment’s exhibition space expanding by 22%, this year’s event will explore how technology is transforming the tourism sector, presenting new growth opportunities for enterprising start-ups and established multinationals alike. The Future Stage at ATM 2025 will host a range of expert speakers, who will explore how advances in fields such as analytics and machine learning, workplace collaboration, blockchain, next-gen mobility and augmented reality are driving our sector forward. This year’s event represents an unparalleled opportunity for exhibitors to showcase their innovations in front of an international audience of senior decision-makers and purchase influencers. Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said: “ATM Travel Tech draws together the best and brightest from across our industry, creating an unrivalled forum for discovery, debate and deal-making. Now more than ever, opportunities related to connectivity and integration are at the forefront of our minds, and they will take centre stage at ATM 2025.” According to IMARC Group, the global market for travel technology is on course to hit $18.6 billion in the next eight years, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) …

FITUR, the International Tourism Trade Fair organized by IFEMA MADRID, celebrated the opening of its 45th edition with the presence of Their Majesties the King and Queen of Spain. They were welcomed by José Vicente de los Mozos, President of the Executive Committee of IFEMA MADRID, along with a significant delegation of ministers, government representatives, and tourism industry leaders from around the world. During the inauguration, the authorities toured the exhibition halls to explore the proposals presented by companies, destinations, and exhibitors participating in FITUR. Among the standout spaces this year is Brazil, located in Hall 3, which participates as the Partner Country for FITUR 2025. Brazil’s Minister of Tourism, Celso Sabino; the President-Director of EMBRATUR (Brazilian Tourism Board), Marcelo Freixo; and the Brazilian Ambassador to Spain, Orlando Leite Ribeiro, welcomed Their Majesties the King and Queen of Spain during the official inauguration at the Brazilian stand. A total of 9,500 participating companies, 156 countries, and 884 main exhibitors, including 101 countries with official representation, are attending this international event to showcase their offerings across nine halls at IFEMA MADRID from January 22 to 26. Once again, FITUR will become the largest meeting point for the tourism sector, providing an opportunity to share knowledge and experiences, create business opportunities, and discover destinations from around the world.

According to Flight Centre Corporate, business travel is set to increase in 2025, with 40% of businesses planning to increase travel from July to June, and 42% of corporates are forecast to spend more than in 2024. Business travel will feature high on the agenda, particularly as part of ATM’s new feature, IBTM@ATM. Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said: “At ATM, we recognise the critical importance of addressing the latest trends and innovations shaping the aviation industry. New technology and the increased use of sustainable fuels will be a game-changer for the sector, with far-reaching benefits for years to come.” The sector’s growth is a topic anticipated to create substantial discussion on the show floor. In 2025, industry revenues will surpass US$1 trillion for the first time, according to IATA. In addition, traveller numbers are expected to hit 5.2 billion, up 6.7% compared to 2024, exceeding the five-billion mark for the first time, with the number of flights expected to reach 40 million.  

FITUR 2025, taking place from 22 to 26 January, organised by IFEMA MADRID, will be highlighting the strong tourism potential between Spain and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where around ten companies will be exhibiting their tourism offers at the trade fair, mainly tour operators and Dubai’s iconic Atlantis Hotel, among others. The recovery of the Persian Gulf has been faster and stronger than that of other markets, with an economy that is growing above the OECD average and with higher spending and disposable income per consumer. Thus, the tourism sector in both territories has significant potential for developing specialised products. Spain experienced a record year for tourism in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region in 2023 with unprecedented growth in both the number of travellers and tourism expenditure. The total number of GCC residents visiting Spain in 2023 reached 434,000, 33% more than in 2022, with an average stay of 8.6 days. Specifically, visitors from the UAE totalled more than 140,000 and spending grew by 37.8%, with an average spend of 2,668 euros, 26% more than in 2022. According to industry sources, around 200,000 Spanish tourists visit Dubai every year. In 2023, tourists from the Gulf region spent more than 1.138 billion euros in Spain, 64.7% more than in 2022, according to Turespaña estimates based on INE data (Frontur and Egatur). These travellers are considered as “large consumers”, with spending well above their European counterparts. Connectivity with Spain is very good and airlines have increased in all the countries of the Persian Gulf, both in terms of frequency and new routes. In the forecasts for flights from the UAE between 1 October 2024 and 31 March 2025, capacity to Spain has …

Key industry trends – including innovation, connectivity and customisation – will be front and centre at the 32nd edition of Arabian Travel Market (ATM), which will take place at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) from 28 April to 1 May 2025. Each year, ATM addresses issues reshaping the international travel landscape, and 2025 will be no exception. In line with its theme, ‘Global Travel: Developing Tomorrow’s Tourism Through Enhanced Connectivity’, ATM 2025’s extensive conference programme and exhibition will explore how contemporary shifts in technology and traveller behaviour can both contribute to and benefit from enhanced connectivity. Commenting on the changing face of global travel, Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said: “Connectivity through technology is obviously a key growth area in travel and tourism, but it is also about the seamless flow and interaction of people, goods and ideas, which support businesses worldwide. So, if you are looking to engage with the global trends, cultural shifts and traveller behaviours shaping the future of the tourism sector, there is no better place than ATM.” One of the trends expected to shape the market in 2025 and beyond is so-called nostalgia travel. From remakes of 1990s films to early 2000s music acts on tour, the pull of the past is strong for the Millennial generation. Many of today’s travellers, including those from the UAE, are seeking to reconnect with their youth by recreating special trips or childhood dreams. Some are also looking to connect with their own children by sharing nostalgic experiences in familiar places, providing myriad opportunities for enterprising travel companies. Sports and music tourism is also experiencing significant growth, with the former expected to be worth $1.33 trillion …

QTM 2024 brought together over 300 exhibitors from 60 countries, offering an unparalleled platform for industry professionals to network, collaborate, and explore the latest trends in travel and tourism. Their focus was on fostering partnerships, sharing knowledge, and exploring emerging trends such as sustainable tourism and experiential travel. There were many Eastern European tourism boards, which is the emerging market for Qatar as a destination who attended and exhibited their offerings. The main travel agents in Qatar shared a wide space together providing the visitors an opportunity to connect and network with them. Asian tourism boards such as Korea tourism had brought in many partners with them this year. QTM 2024 aligns with Qatar’s National Vision 2030, which prioritizes economic diversification and sustainable development. Tourism is central to this vision, and Qatar is already seeing results, with 2.956 million visitors in the first seven months of 2024, representing a 26.2% growth compared to last year. The event has established itself as a premier platform for innovation and business development within the travel and tourism sector. We are fostering strategic partnerships, offering a robust hosted buyers program, facilitating B2B meetings, and hosting engaging conferences that encourage collaboration and drive industry growth. Speaking about Qatar Travel Mart 2024, Rawad Sleem, Co-founder and General Manager of NeXTfairs, the organizers of QTM, stated: “We are thrilled to open QTM 2024, which represents a milestone in Qatar’s journey to become a global tourism hub. This year’s expanded event, covering 15,000 square meters, reflects the rapid growth of Qatar’s tourism sector and its increasing importance on the world stage. QTM 2024 is not just an exhibition; it’s a catalyst for innovation, partnerships, and sustainable growth in …