Category Archives: Exhibitions

Recent ‘Global Holiday Intent’ survey conducted by YouGov on behalf of Reed Travel Exhibitions, the organiser of Arabian Travel Market (ATM), has revealed that residents in the UAE and Saudi Arabia are the most likely to make an international trip in 2021. The poll, which was conducted during October and November 2020, asked recipients if they were planning to make an international trip within the next 12 months and 48% of those polled in the UAE confirmed their intent to travel, with Saudi Arabia coming in a close second with 46% of respondents confirming their intent to travel abroad in 2021. Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, which will take place live at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) May 16-19, 2021, said, “This survey was conducted before the most recent announcements about COVID-19 vaccines, so in many respects this is even better news for the Middle East’s aviation sector. Nearly half of those polled, confirmed that they intended to travel in 2021 and once vaccines have been rolled out around the world, those numbers can only increase.” “In terms of outbound travel, many expatriates will be looking for a relaxing holiday or hoping to travel home to see family and friends. In terms of inbound travel, it was welcome news that almost a third of Germans polled said that they intended to travel internationally – Germany is one of largest European feeder markets to the GCC, 1.8 million overnight stays in 2018. Indeed, over 316,000 Germans visited Dubai between January and June 2019. Much of the domestic travel in Asia will no doubt be linked to Chinese New Year, which is due to take place on February …

Digital forum will be focusing on Israel as the new travel destination for UAE travellers. Israel Ministry of Tourism (IMOT) is all set to host its inaugural tourism forum on the December 16, 2020, following the normalization agreement with UAE. The aim of the forum is to highlight the new developments between the two nations and to showcase the tourism offerings of Israel to the travel trade of UAE. Israel’s Minister of Tourism, Orit Farkash-Hacohen will open the forum to welcome the participants. Panelists will include other officials from the Ministry who will present opportunities of Israel as a leisure and a MICE destination. Representatives from Tel-Aviv and Jerusalem Development Authority will also have their presence to promote the uniqueness of the two main gems of Israel. Along with the travel trade fraternity from UAE, this webinar will also be attended by partners from Israel. Followed after the forum, Israel’s Tourism Minister will also be addressing the media for an exclusive press briefing to discuss the strategy of the Ministry of Tourism to attract tourists from the UAE.

The Middle East & North Africa Business Aviation Association (MEBAA) has announced that the region’s leading business aviation platform, the MEBAA Show, has been rescheduled to its original date cycle and will now take place in December 2022 at DWC, Airshow Site. The event has been cancelled due to concerns related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and international travel restrictions imposed across numerous countries around the world. Ali Ahmed Alnaqbi, Founding and Executive Chairman of MEBAA commented, “As a result of the ongoing challenges with global border restrictions and lockdowns, we have decided to realign the MEBAA Show with its original dates and postpone it again to 2022. All recent indications suggest that the business aviation sector will make a strong recovery in the coming years and the MEBAA Show will play an important role in restoring confidence, driving collaboration and creating new opportunities for the sector.”

Louvre Abu Dhabi and NYU Abu Dhabi saw the conclusion of Reframing Museums, the three-day virtual symposium. This first co-hosted virtual edition saw over 1,000 participants registered to hear from a diverse group of more than 70 speakers, moderators and facilitators from five continents, all gathered to address the current challenges and opportunities for arts and culture institutions the world over. With the symposium reaching capacity prior to the launch, free access to recordings of the sessions have been made available to the public, on both the Reframing Museums website and dedicated YouTube channel. Louvre Abu Dhabi and NYUAD also announced the publication of content from the symposium, by Akkadia Press, which will be available from next summer. HE Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, said, “In Abu Dhabi and all over the world, this has been a year of physical separation, but happily in many other ways our global society has been brought closer together. We will only succeed in securing our future as a collective – in our shared wisdom, determination, and resilience – all reaffirmed by the many voices who joined us for this virtual symposium. This platform of open debate mirrors the message echoing through the halls of the world’s great museums and educational institutions: we must celebrate universality, and address what it means to truly accept and understand one another. “This symposium is not a one-time opportunity; arts and culture are at the centre of Abu Dhabi’s agenda, as we continually harness the power of culture to expand minds and hearts. Reframing Museums reflects our core values of openness and understanding, and we look forward to …

Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE) has announced details of its comprehensive 2021 Retail Calendar, with citywide events, activations and experiences set to fully support the emirate’s economic and tourist development goals.Created to attract both residents and visitors to the city’s impressive line-up of destinations, attractions and world-class malls, the calendar is packed with 15 festival campaigns spread throughout 2021. With this year’s Dubai Fitness Challenge and Diwali currently underway, plus the UAE National Day celebrations poised to begin, the announcement of DFRE’s annual programme for 2021 reinforces the city’s status as the premier destination for holidays as well as memorable lifestyle and retail experiences. Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO, Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE) said, “The announcement of a new, full, busy and exciting calendar of retail events in Dubai for 2021 is a positive indication of progress from this year. We have learned many lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic; with the events of 2020 helping to shape a new focus on what is required to host major events in the months and years ahead. The new 2021 calendar offers a strategic platform of retail events, promotions and entertainment that will help to ensure Dubai stays safe and at the forefront of the world’s important retail destinations. Dubai’s retail sector is an area of major economic importance, and by working closely with our strategic partners, we will continue to provide opportunities for sustainable growth and development and achieve the emirate’s retail and tourism objectives.”

Airport Show Hybrid+ to take place from May 24-26, 2021 will introduce a new digital element to the live, face-to-face event, taking place in DWTC, Dubai. Organisers of the world’s largest annual airport exhibition has unveiled plans to keep the aviation community connected under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group. In the meantime, Airport Show Digital+ on 7-9 December 2020 will give the global community an opportunity to network, learn and engage through a new digital platform. The new digital arm has been designed to strengthen the Show experience and give a unique opportunity to seamlessly connect audiences across the world like never before. The all-inclusive opportunity will help in engaging with the attendees before, during and after the event. His Excellency Mohammed Ahli, Director General of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) and CEO of Dubai Air Navigation Services (dans) commented: “The rescheduling and reformatting of Airport Show has been necessary to provide a platform for aviation industry decision-makers and professionals to come together to discuss the most challenging times in aviation history. Dubai is moving fast to pick-up lost grounds as the situation improves and it is important to push forward together globally to share best practices, new technologies and strategies to support rapid recovery.” Daniyal Qureshi, Group Exhibition Director of Reed Exhibitions Middle East, the organisers of Airport Show said: “Incorporating a new digital platform has enhanced the user experience for both events coming up. The Digital Event in December will offer the opportunity for users to visit Digital Stands, schedule online meetings …

Global Aerospace Summit 2020 commenced in a virtual format and will end today September 29, where industry leaders from across the globe convened online to address the aviation, aerospace, space and defence sectors biggest challenges and opportunities. Hosted by Mubadala Investment Company and EDGE, the Summit will analyse how the aerospace and aviation industries can quickly recover, where efforts must be made to support the regeneration of those sectors and what new prospects are ascending from the new reality the world is facing. Badr Al-Olama, Chairman of the Global Aerospace Summit Advisory Board, and Head of Aerospace, Mubadala commented, “The Global Aerospace Summit is a timely reminder that our sector – more than most – is part of a wider, interconnected global industry built on partnership and collaboration. By sharing ideas and experiences we can overcome the challenges to realise the tremendous opportunities ahead. Mubadala and our Aerospace companies like Strata, Sanad and Yahsat are honoured to play our part in this conversation and share our vision for a dynamic sector built on continued investments in technology, disruptive business models and people.” Khalid Al Breiki, President – Mission Support, EDGE said, “EDGE is proud to host the fifth edition of the Global Aerospace Summit. The platform will enable us to leverage and strengthen our synergies and partnerships with some of the world’s leading aerospace and aviation players, as we seek to highlight the role that advanced technology plays, and will continue to play, in revolutionising the way the sector operates.” Tony Douglas, Group Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Aviation Group, said “When markets reopen, adaptability will be key and Etihad will be ready. The Global Aerospace Summit is an excellent forum …

TravTalk Middle East will be hosting the first ever virtual exhibition on 23rd and 24th November 2020, connecting 40 selected first come first served basis exhibitors from the Middle East with buyers from across the globe. Gulf Travel Show (GTS) with its proprietary exhibition software will help you recover, rebuild and innovate relationships and products. Although this is a virtual event, our goal is the same as live events- to introduce you to buyers, help grow your brand and build long-term profitable business connections. At TravTalk we have been working more closely with the industry during the pandemic keeping the positive vibes by conducting various trade shows, webinars and online newsletters on a regular basis. This event will be a new venture that would enable you to meet online; in the comfort of your own home or even in the office with buyers that will help you grow your business further.

Middle East & North Africa Business Aviation Association (MEBAA) has announced that the region’s leading business aviation platform, the MEBAA Show, will now take place from February 22-24, 2021 at DWC, Airshow Site. The event was due to take place from 08-10 December 2020 but has been postponed due to concerns related to the evolving COVID-19 outbreak. Ali Alnaqbi, Founding and Executive Chairman of MEBAA said, “We have been closely monitoring the COVID-19 spread over the past few weeks as well as developments on travel restrictions from governments around the world. After very careful consideration of the situation and taking into account invaluable feedback from our exhibitors and stakeholders we believe the decision to postpone the event is in the best interests of the health and safety of our exhibitors, visitors, contractors and staff.” “We understand this news will be disappointing to the business aviation industry; however, we believe that in postponing the show to February 2021 we will be better positioned to deliver a quality event for everyone,” added Alnaqbi. By attending The MEBAA Show, organisations will have the chance to meet business aircraft manufacturers, avionics firms, completion centers, charter companies and aircraft resellers who will display their latest products and services. The MEBAA Show’s upcoming edition will host several new and exciting features including access to hours of content through thought-leadership seminars and workshops along with a pre-arranged meetings program to facilitate connection and networking between visitors and exhibitors. In addition, the brand new Luxury Travel Operators Segment will allow attendees to meet and network with regional and global high-end travel operators.

ILTM events has announced a global virtual solution to bring the industry together before the end of the year. ILTM Cannes has been postponed to 2021. Entitled ILTM World Tour – access all areas, this virtual event is set to unite the entire global community of buyers and suppliers of luxury travel. A new one-off digital opportunity with a creative difference, ILTM World Tour – access all areas will compensate for the postponed ILTM events in 2020 and provide an environment for international luxury travel brands and regional buyer communities to virtually meet to connect and build their businesses. “Whilst we know that virtual events will NEVER replace our love to meet and share stories in person, we know right now that what counts the most is getting business lined up for 2021. We cannot predict the timing of when growth will come back, but we can be ready for whenever it happens.” said Alison Gilmore, ILTM Portfolio Director. Describing how ILTM World Tour was created, Alison Gilmore said, “We have created this one-off event to design a truly global business opportunity for all our ILTM suppliers and buyers and planned it so that we respect all time zones. With a 3-week time frame, everyone can create their own strategy and arrange meetings that will work for them.” “We know that the unprecedented events of 2020 have meant the luxury travel industry has had to adapt their business strategies. With target markets shifting as some borders remain closed, we want the objective of the ILTM World Tour to offer a global proposition to open up opportunities for all participants and be a time to bring people together, uniting through shared …