The 2023 Arabian Travel Market (ATM), the Middle East’s premier travel exhibition, was a resounding success. This year’s ATM, the largest in its 30-year history, occurred at the Dubai World Trade Centre from May 1-4.
Over 2,000 exhibitors from more than 150 countries participated, showcasing their top-notch hotels, attractions, airlines, and technology companies. The event attracted a record-breaking 40,000 attendees, marking a 29 percent increase from 2022 and surpassing the previous peak in 2019 by five percent.
A glance at the bustling exhibition floor showed that the Middle East travel and tourism sector is in a robust growth phase.
The event was themed “Working Towards Net Zero,” highlighting ATM’s commitment to fostering sustainability in travel and tourism. This commitment was embodied in the newly launched Sustainability Hub, which hosted sessions on the most recent breakthroughs in sustainable travel.
ATM’s partner, Plug & Play, inaugurated a Sustainable Travel “Start-up Competition.” This competition saw seven start-ups vying to present the most innovative tourism technology concepts for the future of eco-friendly travel.
The first-ever Pearl Award was unveiled at ATM’s 30th edition, honoring Colm McLoughlin, the Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of Dubai Duty-Free. McLoughlin was awarded for his significant contributions to the UAE’s travel and tourism industry.
ATM 2023 was a spectacle of grandeur and uniqueness, with each exhibitor’s booth radiating glamor. However, the most remarkable aspect was the spirit of collaboration. The event served as a platform for travel agents, destinations, tour operators, hotels, and airlines to explore future business opportunities, making it a must-attend for every travel agent in the upcoming years.
Data from the United Nations’ World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) indicate that the Middle East is spearheading the global rebound in tourism. The region is the only one to surpass its 2019 arrival numbers, with a 15 percent increase in arrivals compared to 2019.
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