25 Reasons to visit ATM
We’ve rounded up the best of the exhibitors, seminars, events and travel agent happenings at this year’s show so you don’t miss out.
1 Amadeus
Stand: T110
Amadeus is introducing its TravelTainment Vision Wall prototype, plus brand new products such as the Amadeus ePackages — an online tour package management solution.
It’s also offering a sneak preview of the new Amadeus non-air content plus live demonstrations of customised and customer-focused IT solutions for travel agencies.
Antoine Medawar, vice president, Amadeus Middle East & North Africa, says: “Our industry is evolving faster than ever before, bringing new challenges and yet new opportunities. At the Amadeus stand, attendees can see how they can benefit from a partnership with a market leader and build a brighter, bolder and better future together.”
Don’t miss!
Amadeus is leading a panel discussion entitled: “What generation are you?” on May 3 at 5pm, where industry experts from Kanoo Travel, flydubai, Joob.com and Orient Travel will debate the future of the travel industry in the Middle East.
2 Travelport
Stand: TT210
Visit the Travelport stand to preview exciting products and services for travel agents such as Ticketing Manager — a new tool that gives agents the ability to efficiently refund and re-issue tickets; Travelport Mobi, a mobile travel booking solution that gives travellers 24-hour access to GDS content via their mobile handsets, and groundbreaking GDS technology — including the industry-leading Universal Application Programming Interface (uAPI).
And don’t forget to get involved with the Travelport ‘think’ canvas — a large mural in the exhibition hall where ATM visitors can lend their artistic talent for a worthy local cause — The Al Noor Training Centre for Children with Special Needs.
Travelport is also taking part in the Passport programme during Travel Agent’s Day, so agents will get the chance to win some great prizes.
Don’t miss!
Agents can take part in Travelport’s ‘Land & Sea’ workshops held daily at the stand to learn more about making non-air bookings through the GDS.
3 One to One Hotel - the Village
Stand: UAE 1900
A tranquil retreat located right in the heart of Abu Dhabi, this 127-room hotel is promoting itself as an ideal base for both business and leisure, with state-of-the-art business facilities and guestrooms housed in private villa clusters.
The hotel will unveil its new food and beverage loyalty scheme, the ‘GourmetClub’ programme, as well as new private boat charters. “We are determined to deliver value through ‘audience of one’ experiences,” explains Jawad Saade, executive assistant manager.
“We are distinctive through our people by providing service that is delivered beyond guest’s expectations. Our diverse portfolio in rooms, restaurants and services at One to One Hotel – the Village ensures that there is something for everyone.”
4 Onyx Hospitality Group
Stand: AS550
ONYX Hospitality Group will be fielding a senior delegation of representatives headed by CEO Peter Henley.
Updates and announcements about exciting developments across the ONYX brands will be unveiled, highlighting the four major brands: Saffron; Amari; Shama and Ozo. New hotels opening this year and next include the Oriental Residence Bangkok, Herathera Island Resort, Maldives Amari and the Amari Residences Hua Hin which launches in Q2 2012.
Don’t miss!
Mohamed Azzam Al Bashir has been appointed Middle East sales director, come and meet him at the show.
5 Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts
Stand: HC500
Come to the Mövenpick stand to find out about its hot summer offer: this year participating hotels within the Middle East, Europe, Africa and Asia are offering up to 25% off on room rates during the summer and throughout Ramadan.
Mövenpick is also keen to speak about its global expansion plans — 15 new hotels are opening in the coming months.
Mövenpick recently opened the Mövenpick Hotel Deira and also undertook management of the Mövenpick Resort & Spa Cebu in the Philippines and has started soft opening The Mövenpick Heritage Hotel Sentosa in Singapore; while Mövenpick Residence Laguna Beach Phuket, the Mövenpick Hotel & Spa Bangalore and the Mövenpick Beach Resort Al Khobar in Saudi Arabia will launch in a few weeks time.
Other big news is the unveiling of Circle M, a new loyalty program that provides members with exclusive discounts on food and beverage and room rates at participating hotels across the Middle East.
6 Banyan Tree
Stand: HC630 (Zabeel Hall)
Banyan Tree will be showcasing Banyan Tree Al Wadi, its exclusive tented desert resort in Ras Al Khaimah which launched just over a year ago.
The gorgeous resort recently added a new villa experience — the Banyan Tree Al Wadi Beach Villas, 20 minutes from the resort next to the Al Hamra golf course.
Banyan Tree will also be introducing new senior executives at the show: regional director of marketing, Zee Basilla and director of sales and marketing at Banyan Tree Al Wadi, Shamel Droubi.
Find out more about their expansion plans for the Middle East: new resorts are in the pipeline for Oman, Jordan and Egypt over the next five years, as well as opportunities for outbound tourism. Banyan Tree representatives from properties in the Maldives, Seychelles and Thailand will also be in attendance.
7 Georgia National Tourism Agency
Stand: EU342
Georgia is taking part in ATM for the first time ever this year. GNTA is keen to promote the destination to the Middle East market, which it says “has been under-sold due to lack of awareness among the region’s travel trade.”
There’s plenty to offer Middle East visitors, including ease of entry (no visas are required for GCC visitors), breathtaking scenery along the Black Sea coast, modern infrastructure, vibrant night-life, beautiful nature, and wellness and relaxation facilities.
GNTA wants travel agents to come and check it out for themselves, and fam trips are on offer for those who are interested in partnering with Georgian inbound travel trade to sell Georgia.
Don’t miss!
VIPs — the First Lady of Georgia, Sandra Elisabeth Roelofs, and chairwoman of the Georgia National Tourism Agency (GNTA), Maia Sidamonidze, will be making a special appearance at the show.
8 Qatar Tourism Authority
Stand: ME 2600
There’s plenty of buzz surrounding Qatar this year. In 2010 Qatar added nearly 1,000 new hotel rooms and there are more than 120 hotels still under construction.
“This is a major year for Qatar with the opening of two “big ticket” items in our tourism infrastructure,” explains Soha Moussa, Qatar Tourism Authority.
“We are opening the new Qatar National Convention Centre, bringing a world class hi-tech venue for hosting events and conferences to the country. The inaugural event will be the 2011 World Petroleum Congress in December.
This is not only the biggest event Qatar is yet to host, but will also be an opportunity to showcase the new convention centre and the country.
December will also see the inauguration of the New Doha International Airport (NDIA) which, when fully operational will accommodate 50 million passengers a year.
With Qatar Airways now flying to 100 destinations around the world, Qatar is establishing itself as a key travel hub for travellers.”
Don’t miss!
QTA is sponsoring Travel Agents Day this year and giving away more than 15 luxury prizes during the raffle draw on the 5 May.
9 Rocco Forte Hotels
Stand: HC530
Taking part in ATM for the first time this year, Rocco Forte Hotels will be highlighting its expansion into the Middle East and North Africa.
Luxury properties in Abu Dhabi, Marrakech, Jeddah, and Cairo will open over the next three years including the highly-anticipated Abu Dhabi hotel this year.
More details will be revealed about the new-build hotel in Jeddah and a golf and spa resort in Marrakech, due to open in 2013 and 2014 respectively.
“At a time when Sir Rocco Forte’s European hotels are experiencing record numbers of guests from the Arab world, ATM provides us with a platform to highlight the customised luxury services that we offer travellers from the region,” says Anna Martin, group communications director, Rocco Forte Hotels.
10 Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority
Stand: UAE 1900
Abu Dhabi’s biggest-ever tourism offering will be in the spotlight this year.Over 45 Abu Dhabi tourism stakeholders will fill a pavilion with more than 80 products — some being rolled out for the first time.
New to this year’s line-up are: Al Forsan International Sports Resort, Ayla Hotels & Resorts Management and Five Continents Hospitality, which manages the Mourouj Hotel Apartments.
The pavilion will also feature soon-to-open hotels including the Westin
Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa and Jumeirah@ Etihad Towers Hotel.
Abu Dhabi is keen to expand links with the local trade. Last year there were over 102,000 GCC hotel guests to Abu Dhabi. Saudi Arabia is the most prolific market with 9,645 Saudis coming to Abu Dhabi in the first two months of this year alone.
“There is increasing demand from Saudi Arabia where ADTA is now working to establish an office,” said Mubarak Al Nuaimi, international promotions manager.
11 AIR BERLIN
Stand: EU540
Air Berlin launched a thrice weekly non-stop service from Dubai to Berlin back in November and will be taking part in ATM for the first time this year to promote the brand new service. Some exciting new developments to the airberlin fleet will also be on show.
From November this year, the airline is equipping its entire Airbus A330-200 fleet with brand new seats in Business and Economy, so customers can look forward to an extra comfortable flight.
Another exciting development in the cabin upgrade is the brand new inflight entertainment system ‘RAVE’ — it’s one of the best state-of-the-art solutions currently in the market, involving a simple, plug and play monitor which will be built into the backrest of the seats.
12 Meydan Hotels
Stand: UAE 2300 Hall 3
It’s an important ATM for Meydan as it’s the first year for the hotel under newly-established hotel brand Meydan Hotels. The portfolio also contains Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa and the Grandstand / events facilities.
Meydan is looking to promote itself as a “destination hotel” with a wide range of sporting, dining and entertainment facilities. These will be added to later on this year with the opening of a new Tennis Academy and a nine-hole floodlit golf course — previously known as Nad Al Sheba.
Don’t miss!
Pick up a newsletter detailing all the key happenings at Meydan Hotels in its first four months.
13 Raffles Dubai
Stand: HC950
Raffles Dubai is launching its A Suite Stay on Top Package at this year’s ATM.
The package offers residents staying in any of the suites a VIP tour of the Burj Khalifa, plus a private helicopter ride over Dubai, four-course dinner for two at Noble House restaurant, and a bottle of champagne at new venue RED Lounge.
Complementing the suite experience is an in-room check in, airport transfers, in-room breakfast and the legendary Raffles Butler service. The package starts at AED 6250++.
14 St. Regis
Stand: UAE 1900 / ME 2600
Get ready — St. Regis is coming to the Middle East. Scheduled to open later this year in Qatar with St. Regis Doha and in Abu Dhabi on November 1, with The St. Regis Saadiyat Resort and Residences agents can catch the first glimpse of this ultra-swish new hotel brand at ATM.
The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort in Abu Dhabi will feature a 380-room hotel on the pristine white natural beach of Saadiyat, framed by a Gary Player designed Saadiyat Beach Golf Course, 33 branded villas, an entertainment complex of shops and restaurants and a spa.
St. Regis Doha promises to be equally luxurious with butler service, silk wall coverings and beautiful antiques. Tareq Derbas, general manager, St. Regis Doha Hotel, says: “We really believe we are offering a new style of luxury for the Middle East region, and we anticipate an overwhelmingly positive response at ATM.”
15 Iraq
Stand: ME 2850
Iraq is making its debut at ATM this year in a bid to revive its travel and tourism sector. Iraq is seeing investment worth billions of dollars in tourism infrastructure.
Business tourism rose by 58% in 2009, and both regional and European airlines have begun new services to capitalise on this demand. Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways and Gulf Air have all added Basra to their destinations. Flydubai now travels to Gassim and Erbil, while Air Arabia has added Najaf.
International carriers Austrian Airlines and Lufthansa are also getting in on the action. On the hotel front, Rotana has led the way, opening the first international five-star property in Erbil last year.
Range Hospitality announced the 624-suite Al Rawdatain Gardens at Karbala for religious tourists. Around 20 four- and five-star hotels are under construction in Erbil — to find out more about how Iraq is poised for tourism boom come to the stand.
16 German National Tourist Board
Stand: EU540 (hall 7)
Germany will be focusing on two key themes at this year’s ATM: health and wellness, and the 125th anniversary of the car.
A special brochure: Medical tourism — You’ll be well looked after in Germany will be available to pick up on the stand with all the information on top clinics as well as touristic highlights for medical patients in Arabic and English.
For car enthusiasts, Germany has over 200 car museums to explore, and hundreds of events and activities are planned this year to celebrate the anniversary of the car.
The German Tourism Board will also be launching its brand new website www.germany.travel in Arabic and in English packed with info and photos on Germany.
Don’t miss!
Germany will be providing special info for the regional travel trade in both English and Arabic —come to the stand to pick up brochures and offers targeted at this market.
17 Austrian National Tourist Office
Stand: EU630
Austria smashed all records in terms of GCC visitor numbers in 2010 and now plans to outperform Switzerland in the GCC market.
At ATM this year, the tourism board is unveiling the first ever travel guide for smartphones designed especially for Middle East travellers: the iAustria Travel Guide.
The app has info on everything the Middle East traveller might need when visiting Austria — from local Halal restaurants to nearby mosques, and it is available in Arabic.
It can be used on iPhone, Blackberry and all smartphones and is free of charge. Download the app now from iTunes, Blackberry App World, Google Android Marketplace or ANTO’s website www.austria.info.
Don’t miss!
Visit the Austria stand to find out how you can join its destination training program ‘ACTS’ and become an Austria Certified Travel Agent.
18 SPAIN
Stand: EU450
Spain is the ‘hot destination of the moment’ for the Middle East market this year: “This year, Spain has exceeded expectations, as is shown by the highly crowded Emirates non-stop flight to Madrid just eight-months after its release”, says Elena Valdés from the Spanish Tourism Board (Turespaña).
Spain is gearing up to launch its international campaign: “I need Spain” in the Middle East which will help to boost visitor numbers even more. “We are fully committed to attract consumers from the GCC and turn it into an unforgettable experience,” says Valdés.
“The international campaign has already been viewed by 467 millions people all around the world. It is clearly fulfilling its objectives as Spain is the most recognisable brand in the European market ranking first or second position in spontaneous memory.”
Don’t miss!
Turespaña is keen to arrange fam trips for the Middle East travel trade in collaboration with Emirates Airline to introduce them to this exciting new destination. Visit the stand to find out more.
19 Dusit Intl.
Stand: EU342
Expansion is on the cards for Dusit International. This year will see new Dusit openings in New Delhi, Abu Dhabi and China. Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi will be the fifth hotel in the UAE.
Rising to 36 floors with impressive glass atrium lobbies, 401 rooms including Royal Suites, Executive and Junior Suites; it will also feature the UAE’s first Devarana Spa. Dusit is also bringing Arabic to its website www.dusit.com, confirming its commitment to the Middle East market.
20 Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group
Stand: CR 380
DTAG is celebrating the 10 year anniversary of its MENA and Asia Pacific regional headquarters in Dubai. Franchisees from the UAE, Oman, Jordan, Kuwait, India, Turkey as well as corporate representatives from Europe, US and the Caribbean will be at ATM to attend to travel agents needs and . promote the DTAG online reservations system.
Don’t miss!
DTAG’s training expert Tom Kelley will be available at the show to give visiting travel agents top tips on customer service skills, delegation and time management.
21 Sofitel Luxury Hotels
Zabeel Hall HC 350
Sofitel will be showcasing its new openings in the MENA region and worldwide, including Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa (which features the first Thalassa therapy in the region) and Sofitel Al Khobar The Corniche.
Upcoming properties include Sofitel Abu Dhabi Capital Plaza, and the first Sofitel Legend property in the region — Old Cataract, Aswan, Egypt.
There are ten planned openings later this year which will include the two new labels, So and Legend, while in 2012 we will see openings of two exciting new properties in Dubai — one on Sheikh Zayed Road, and one on The Palm.
Video footage and presentations of all the new hotels will be available at the stand for travel agents to see as will GMs from across the region.
22 Millennium & Copthorne Hotels and Resorts
Stand: HC1450
Millennium & Copthorne will be launching and promoting its new summer campaign at this year’s ATM which features “sizzling hot” room rates across all its brands in the Middle East and North Africa — Grand Millennium, Millennium, Copthorne and Kingsgate.
The campaign will run for 99 days, and each day promises to reveal a special promotion on the website: www.millenniumsummer.com. Rates start from AED199 for Kingsgate Abu Dhabi.
Also not to be missed: Millennium & Copthorne and Hotelier Middle East magazine are launching the ‘ATM Apprentice’, offering three candidates a fast-track apprenticeship in HR, sales, and management.
Don’t miss!
Millennium & Copthorne has promised to give away special prizes to travel agents on the stand including stays at properties in London, Bangkok and Phuket.
23 Jordan
Stand: ME 1700
Jordan’s stand this year will highlight Petra, the Dead Sea and Royal Jordanian. Jordan will also be launching its new family focused micro-site (in Arabic and English) and brochure, which features fun games for kids and family-oriented activities to do while visiting Jordan. Sa’ed S.
Zawaideh, Jordan Tourism Board says the current unrest in the region means a priority will be to reassure visitors of Jordan’s safety: “We would like to reiterate that Jordan remains a very safe destination for travel. Moreover, it is a perfect family destination due to the diversity of products and the range of activities.”
Don’t miss!
Travel agents can find out about Jordan’s e-learning academy. If you become a Jordan Expert you can benefit from special offers.
24 IATA
IATA (International Air Transport Association) is exhibiting to talk to travel agents about its agency programs; such as the IDCard program — which provides recognition and benefits for agents and GDP (Global Global Data Products).
Experts from the regional and local office will be on the hand to answer questions. Anja Bouron, business development manager, IATA says: “Neither program is well known in the Middle East. This is the reason why we have chosen to be a part of ATM this year to promote these programs.”
Don’t miss!
The IDCard program provides travel benefits to agents from 1,000 suppliers around the world!
25 Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
Stand: HC950
The Fairmont stand this year will feature creative sculptures made out of paper detailing the architectural feats of Fairmont properties worldwide. The eagerly anticipated Fairmont Palm Jumeirah will also be unveiled.
Set to open in 2012 the luxury resort will feature 36,500 square feet of meeting space, outdoor leisure facilities including a beach restaurant and a private beach club, a pool complex and children’s activity centre as well as a variety of dining facilities featuring sea, garden or pool views and a Willow Stream spa.
Don’t miss!
Visit the Fairmont stand for chance to win a holiday to a Fairmont property of your choice!
Top seminar sessions
The airlines will be in the spotlight this year with a number of dedicated aviation seminars. Hear from Tim Clark, CEO, Emirates Airlines in the ‘Emirates in the hot seat’ seminar on May 2 at 3pm where he will comment on the impact of the tsunami disaster in Japan.
Meanwhile, Adel Ali, CEO of Air Arabia will give his take on the low cost carrier model on May 3 at 11.30am in a seminar entitled ‘Airlines in the Gulf — succeeding in troubled times?’ And don’t miss the unveiling of Euromonitor’s ‘Future of travel in the Middle East’ report on 2 May at 4pm.
Arabian Travel News
Stand: NA 120
Don’t forget to come and pay us a visit at the Arabian Travel News stand where you can subscribe to the magazine, pick up a copy or two and fill us in on all your news from the show — see you there!