ATM 2012 was opened by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, prime minister and vice president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Dubai, with Reed Travel Exhibitions portfolio director Mark Walsh to his left.
As it celebrates its 20th year, Arabian Travel Market 2013 is introducing a raft of new features, high-profile speakers and partnerships with companies such as Google and Online Travel Training. Reed Travel Exhibitions portfolio director Mark Walsh reveals the highlights and predicts the key trends.
What’s new at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) this year?
As 2013 is the 20th Anniversary of ATM, we kick off this year’s week-long seminar series with a panel session entitled ‘20 Years: Now, Then and Tomorrow’, providing an insightful look at Dubai and the UAE’s travel and tourism achievements over the last two decades.
We’ll also join aviation sector innovators – and new airline partners – Tim Clark, president of Emirates Airline, and Qantas Airways CEO Alan Joyce, as they discuss their ground-breaking partnership in ‘The Big Conversation’, chaired by veteran air transport consultant John Strickland.
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We welcome back the second annual United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Ministerial Forum this year held in partnership with HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and the Dubai Tourism and Culture Authority.
The Ministerial Summit, “Tourism and Aviation: Building a Common Agenda for Growth”, will bring together ministers of tourism and leaders from the aviation industry from around the world to discuss aviation and tourism policies, economic growth and sustainable development and the current obstacles and opportunities for growth.
Another new feature for 2013 is the Digital and Technology Day, which will focus on online travel developments, introducing headline speakers from across the industry including Bruce Martin, operations director, Online Travel Training, who will lead a session offering a behind-the-scenes look at the concept of ‘gamification’ — the global trend boosting engagement, branding, loyalty and learning in travel.
We are also delighted to partner up with some of the biggest names in the online world, including Google, who will hold a half-day Think Travel event giving business leaders essential insight into the latest travel industry trends and digital innovations.
Another interesting session taking place this year is from Wayn.com, which will focus on how to use social media to help drive user engagement and direct performance for your business.
Destination Briefings covering five major geographical areas will also be scheduled throughout the week with the MENA region, Africa, the Americas, Asia-Pacific and Europe each getting their chance to share in the spotlight. The hour-long sessions will uncover new travel trends, provide insider tips to discover emerging destinations and key travel opportunities.
For the first time in ATM history, we have also launched a show mascot. Shaheen the falcon is an integral part of our travel agent awareness campaign strategy and is already making his presence felt in the marketplace, featured in all online communication.
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