More than 40,000 people – including 30,000 visitors – attended the 30th edition of Arabian Travel Market (ATM), which concluded last week in Dubai, UAE.
This not only represents a year-on-year increase of 29% in attendees compared to 2022, it also represents a 5% increase over 2019. It established a new record for the show, demonstrating that the Middle East’s travel and tourism sector is booming.
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In line with ATM 2023’s theme, ‘Working Towards Net Zero’, over 2,100 exhibitors and representatives from over 150 countries gathered at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) to explore how the industry can ensure sustainable travel for future generations.
His Highness @sheikhmansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, tours the 30th edition of the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2023, which concludes today at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).https://t.co/iwkyldSQnC pic.twitter.com/W6LUQNZMPT
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) May 4, 2023
Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, ATM, said: “We are thrilled that so many professionals joined the show, which shed a spotlight on our sector’s journey to net zero. We witnessed record attendance at ATM 2023. It is encouraging and an indication that the Middle East’s travel industry is in excellent shape.”
Special awards
To mark three decades of ATM, there were a number of special events on the agenda during the four-day exhibition. An independent panel of judges selected the hospitality brand Hilton for the inaugural Sustainable Stand Award. Hilton has decided to use a local supplier for repurposing materials in next three years. Hilton also used a carbon calculator to measure carbon footprint associated with its involvement in the show and has taken steps to mitigate this output.
The prestigious Pearl Award was bestowed upon Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of Dubai Duty Free, for his contribution to travel and tourism sector in the UAE. McLoughlin began his career at Dubai Duty Free in 1983, and has since helped transform the organisation into a $2 billion company.
Galaxy of panelists
Moderated by Eleni Giokos, Anchor and Correspondent CNN, the show’s opening session delved into a climate change debate as tourism heads took to the Global Stage. The prestigious line-up of speakers included Sujit Mohanty, Regional Division for the Arab States, United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR); Dr Abed Al Razzaq Arabiyat, Managing Director, Jordan Tourism Board; and HE Walid Nassar, Lebanon’s Minister of Tourism.
Event partners
ATM 2023 was held in conjunction with Dubai World Trade Centre, and its strategic partners include Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) as the Destination Partner, Emirates as the Official Airline Partner, IHG Hotels & Resorts as the Official Hotel Partner and Al Rais Travel as the Official DMC Partner.
About Arabian Travel Market (ATM)
Now in its 30th year, the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) is the leading, international travel and tourism event in the Middle East for tourism professionals. ATM 2022 attracted over 24,000 visitors and hosted over 31,000 participants. The included 1,600 exhibitors and attendees from 151 countries. Arabian Travel Market is part of Arabian Travel Week.