The Greek National Tourism Organisation (GNTO) celebrated a successful return to Arabian Travel Market (ATM) with the exclusive announcement of two high profile strategic partnerships on the second day of the region’s leading travel trade fair. The announcements were officially presented at a press conference on the GNTO stand hosted by His Excellency, The General Secretary of the Greek National Tourism Organisation, Dimitrios Fragakis, and comes as the national tourism body steps up its efforts to promote Greek tourism across the region ahead of the summer travel period by showcasing the exceptional weather and diverse experiences on offer to visitors throughout the year under the Greek sun. The GNTO is partnering with Qatar Airways to promote new direct routes to Greece as part of its ongoing commitment to offering seamless connectivity for passengers looking to enjoy as many one-stop connections as possible. The popular Greek island of Santorini, with one of the most famous views in the world, will join high-demand flights to Athens and Mykonos to become the third destination to be served in Greece by Qatar Airways. Qatar Airways and the GNTO will run a dedicated media campaign to raise awareness among audiences in the UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, with a focus on the unique, money can’t buy experiences that only Greece has to offer. The campaign will also target potential travelers from as far afield as Australia. The first flight to Santorini is scheduled to depart from Doha’s Hamad International Airport, voted the world’s best airport in 2021, on 7th June 2022. The new flights will further increase the already strong connectivity that Greece enjoys with the EMEA region, with existing routes including regular and seasonal …
Read More »Tourism Malaysia returns to ATM with 32 partners
Tourism Malaysia, the promotion board under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture Malaysia, is participating once again in the Arabian Travel Market with the country’s tourism trade partners, to promote Malaysia to the Middle Eastern market. Showcasing the latest attractions and destinations for shopping, family fun, eco-adventure, honeymoons, luxury holidays, Malaysia will also underscore its reputation as a safe travel destination. The prestigious annual event is once again being held at Dubai World Trade Centre, from 9th to 12th May. This year, the Malaysian delegation is led by The Honourable Minister Dato’ Sri Hajah Nancy Shukri, Minister of Tourism, Arts & Culture Malaysia. The Malaysia Pavilion consists of 64 delegates representing 32 organisations, eager to meet key industry buyers from the Middle East. Malaysia reopened its borders to international tourists on 1st April 2022. Commenting, Dato’ Sri Nancy said, “It was indeed a significant milestone for our tourism industry as we welcome more international visitors, first time and returning visitors alike, to further boost our economy. Now that our borders are fully open again, we are confident that we will witness a strong rebound in tourism numbers, to bolster the recovery of our economy. We estimate two million international tourist arrivals this year generating more than RM8.6 billion (AED7.5 billion) in tourism receipts.” Pre-pandemic, in 2019, Malaysia received 397,726 tourists from MENA region. Saudi Arabia was Malaysia’s top market, accounting for 121,444 tourists, more than 30% of arrivals, from the West Asia and North African regions, an 8.2% increase over the previous year. The Malaysian delegation is comprised of hotels and resorts, travel agents, tourism product owners, and representatives from state tourism boards. During the four-day event, they will …
Read More »Writing the global recovery sequel with San Jeet @ATM
The Indian Traveller: Writing the global recovery sequel organised byTravTalk India will take place at ATM Global Stage on Thursday, 12th May from 10:30 – 11:15 moderated by San Jeet, CEO DDP Group. Pent-up demand and eagerness to travel are terms that are very often used for Indian outbound travel. Yes, the Indian traveller is raging to go and wants to travel the world. This segment is quick to rebound, remains strong, and has the spending capacity. Luxury has become the new mantra for Indian traveller. Research shows that the frequency to travel has increased and the spending is going up. Will the Indian outbound traveller replace the Chinese traveller from the pre-pandemic world? What does the Indian traveller now expect and what can international brands do to welcome them with open arms? Let’s discuss this further with stalwarts from the Indian outbound sector who can highlight these new trends and redefine the new and evolved Indian traveller.
Read More »Arabic travellers in the GCC plan for new travel experiences, says expert during ATM 2022
GCC travellers are looking to make up for lost time when it comes to travel, with the anticipation of new experiences dominating conversations, according to research revealed yesterday at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2022 by leading consumer intelligence company D/A. The research is based on the analysis of over four million social media posts and comments from more than two million Arabic-speaking unique users in the GCC. The number of travel conversations and posts about travel increased by 110% and 151%, respectively, between 2019 and 2021. Speaking on the ATM Global Stage on Tuesday, 10 May, Paul Kelly, Managing Partner, D/A, said: “Travel conversations increased to over 1.3 million in 2021, underscoring the willingness by Arabic speakers in the GCC to travel, regardless of age or nationality. We are ultimately witnessing the pent-up demand from the last two years coming to the fore as borders reopen, flights are back on track and restrictions are lifted.” GCC travellers have a vital role in tourism recovery, a direct result of their spending power. According to the UNWTO, GCC travellers spend 6.5 times more than the global average, with 40% of GCC travellers spending more than AED36,700 on their last trip to Europe. Travellers from Saudi Arabia are reportedly the highest travel spenders globally. “Overall, when it comes to the GCC traveller, the conversations indicate that something new is the order of the moment. Even in the familiar, a new experience is at the top of the wish list for those intent on travelling soon – a huge change from what we have seen in the past year or two,” Kelly added. In terms of holiday preference, the consensus is on escaping …
Read More »ATM 2022 kicks off on a positive note 85% more than last year
29th edition of the Arabian Travel Market concluded day two with great success. According to some of the exhibitors this year’s ATM is one of the best in terms of business meetings. His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group and Chairman of Dubai World shared that Dubai continues to strengthen its position at the forefront of global travel and tourism recovery by hosting global events that bring together decision-makers in the sector from across the region and the globe, contributing to worldwide efforts to open new growth horizons for the industry. Dubai’s ability to provide a safe environment for both tourism and prominent global events over the past two years and its success in overcoming the repercussions of the recent worldwide health crisis have enabled it to welcome large numbers of visitors from all over the world. “Dubai provides a unique model for sustainable development that not only promotes economic progress within the nation but also stimulates growth in the region and broader global markets. The Arabian Travel Market provides a vital platform for tourism and travel industry leaders in the Middle East and across the world to connect and network with each other and discover new opportunities for growth, collaboration and success,” he said. Taking place from Monday 9 to Thursday 12 May, this year’s event is more than 85% larger than ATM 2021 in terms of floorspace, with growth in every single region. ATM 2022 features 1,500 exhibitors, representatives from 158 global destinations, and an anticipated 20,000 attendees. The live show will be followed by ATM Virtual, which will …
Read More »HH Ahmed bin Saeed opens Arabian Travel Market 2022
His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group and Chairman of Dubai World, today officially inaugurated Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2022, marking the start of the 29th edition of the Middle East’s largest travel and tourism exhibition. His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed said Dubai continues to strengthen its position at the forefront of global travel and tourism recovery by hosting global events that bring together decision-makers in the sector from across the region and the globe, contributing to worldwide efforts to open new growth horizons for the industry. Dubai’s ability to provide a safe environment for both tourism and prominent global events over the past two years and its success in overcoming the repercussions of the recent worldwide health crisis have enabled it to welcome large numbers of visitors from all over the world. “Dubai provides a unique model for sustainable development that not only promotes economic progress within the nation but also stimulates growth in the region and broader global markets. The Arabian Travel Market provides a vital platform for tourism and travel industry leaders in the Middle East and across the world to connect and network with each other and discover new opportunities for growth, collaboration and success,” he said. HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed was accompanied at the inauguration by His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET); Vasyl Zhygalo, Portfolio Director, RX Global; Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director Middle East, ATM; and a host of other VIPs who embarked on a tour of the show floor as the four-day event …
Read More »German National Tourism Board to boost GCC visitors with culture and nature at ATM 2022
The German National Tourist Board (GNTB) is providing inspiration for GCC tourists to visit Germany this year, by relaunching their highly successful German.Local.Culture. campaign, as well as launching its ‘Embrace German Nature’ campaign in the GCC, at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2022. The campaigns form a compelling tourism proposition that appeal to GCC travellers, with harmony between generations, traditions and different cultural influences. It reflects authentic, local experiences in urban destinations while shining a light on rural areas and their sustainable tourism. “We want to inspire GCC travellers. Germany is a diverse destination and ideal for longer holidays for the culturally minded, for families and for those who enjoy outdoor pursuits and natural beauty,” said Yamina Sofo, Director of Sales & Marketing for the GCC, at the German National Tourist Office (GNTO), an affiliate of the German National Tourist Board (GNTB). Germany is once again becoming an extremely popular destination for GCC Nationals. Pent up demand from GCC Nationals, resulted in 518,516 overnight stays in Germany during 2021, an 82.3% increase over 2020. In December 2021 alone, despite the outbreak of the Omicron variant, Germany recorded over 54,493 overnight stays from GCC Nationals, an increase of 335%, compared with the same period in 2020, “These figures show that Germany is a preferred destination for GCC Nationals. Visitor numbers in 2021 rebounded significantly, which is even more impressive given COVID travel restrictions in Germany only eased end of June 2021. The GCC is now the highest inbound performing region within Asia, Australasia and South Africa,” added Sofo. This has clearly been supported by the way in which the GCC countries have responded to the pandemic, particularly the UAE and Saudi Arabia, …
Read More »Industry experts open session at Arabian Travel Market 2022
The opening session of the 29th edition of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) started off their official sessions with a spotlight on the future of international travel and tourism within the region and beyond. As the post-pandemic recovery of the Middle East’s travel and tourism sector continues apace, industry leaders took to the ATM Global Stage to explore the latest trends and global movements that are steering the sector forward. Flexibility, responsiveness, sustainability and innovation were all highlighted as catalysts for long-term success. Moderated by Eleni Giokos, Anchor and Correspondent at CNN, the opening session’s panellists included Issam Kazim, Chief Executive Officer, Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing; Scott Livermore, Chief Economist at Oxford Economics; Jochem-Jam Sleiffer, President – Middle East, Africa and Turkey at Hilton; Bilal Kabbani, Industry Head – Travel and Tourism at Google; and Andrew Brown, Regional Director – Europe, Middle East and Oceania at the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). Commenting on the ever-increasing importance of environmentally responsible travel and tourism, Issam Kazim said: “A few years ago, we launched special awards to recognise the efforts that hotels in Dubai are making in advancing sustainability within the emirate’s tourism industry. We have now broadened this with the continued support of our valued stakeholders and partners to ensure that everyone operating in the travel and tourism space is working with sustainability at top of mind. We are also highlighting its importance to residents and visitors, as evident in the launch of the Dubai Can sustainability initiative. “With the post-pandemic era set to create a highly competitive landscape, our successful tourism recovery strategy is still evolving in keeping to the disruption taking place across global tourism. As …
Read More »Tourism 365 to showcase Abu Dhabi’s leisure tourism sector at ATM
Tourism 365 announced its participation in this year’s Arabian Travel Market with the aim of showcasing Abu Dhabi’s leisure tourism sector. The tourism development company’s attendance at the travel trade event will showcase its strategic partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and Etihad Holidays and also marks close to a year in operations following its launch in late June 2021. Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, Managing Director and Group CEO of Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company.: “Our strategic partnership with (DCT Abu Dhabi) and Etihad Holidays looks to enhance Abu Dhabi’s tourism sector throughout the summer and in the coming year. Tourism 365 launched at the start of the second half of 2021 as part of ADNEC’s strategy to develop Abu Dhabi’s leisure tourism sector. We look forward to placing Abu Dhabi as one of the world’s leading tourist destinations, with advanced travel technology, greater connectivity and standalone packages for the global traveller. We are proud to be a leading group that contributes to the sustainable growth of Abu Dhabi’s tourism industry. Our aim is to bring business and leisure travellers together to create a valuable social and economic impact on Abu Dhabi.” Commenting on the collaboration with Tourism 365, His Excellency Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director General of DCT Abu Dhabi said: “This is a positive step forward for the entire tourism industry in Abu Dhabi, putting the capital at the forefront of driving global tourism innovation. It’s through such strategic partnerships and our diversity of experiences on offer, that enables us to inspire all travellers on their own journey of personal discovery to experience Abu Dhabi at their own pace. All …
Read More »Tomorrowland to open magical desert destination Terra Solis in Dubai
Tomorrowland is set to open Terra Solis, a brand-new unique desert destination in Dubai. Nestled between the Arabian dunes and inspired by the most beautiful star constellations, Terra Solis will open in September in Dubailand, Al Yufra, welcoming people from around the globe to a magical oasis of relaxation in the Arabian desert. Guests will be encouraged to celebrate life by the pool during the day and stargaze into their dreams at night. Bookings are now open on terrasolisdubai.com. Featuring a collection of three stunning accommodation options, all named after stars, meteor showers and constellations, the stunning Polaris bell tents, the marvelous Perseid lodges, and the spectacular Orion pool lodges will provide a unique stay in the Arabian dunes. Guests will also have access to a picturesque swimming pool at the heart of the destination, some of the most iconic Tomorrowland elements, a restaurant, a bar and a shisha lounge. Nicolas Vandenabeele, Founder and CEO, Terra Solis: “Terra Solis is a one-of-a-kind desert destination away from all the noise. It is inspired by the magic of Tomorrowland and the most beautiful star constellations, where you can wake up from a night under the stars and live to the rhythm of the sun. Guests will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in a memorable world of wonder with the finest music, a vibrant yet relaxing pool scene, incredible tastes and aromas and a unique glamping experience in the Arabian dunes while relaxing in style under the Dubai sun.” The oriental-chic desert oasis is spread over 371,000 square meters. Terra Solis will combine outstanding music and entertainment, a fun party atmosphere, and an exceptional food and beverage offering in one refreshing and …
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