Arabian Travel Market is the leading global event for the Middle East inbound and outbound travel industry. As this year’s event focuses on mid-market travel, Hotelier Express presents an overview of the essential talking points, key topics and expert opinions ahead of the opening day.
Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice president and prime minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, Arabian Travel Market has grown to become the largest showcase of its kind in the region and one of the biggest in the world. The focus for the 23rd edition is on mid-market tourism, and will host more than 2,800 exhibiting companies representing over 86 countries, with 113 new exhibitors and over 64 country pavilions.
Key points of discussion at ATM:
1. The number of new rooms entering the market will certainly form a central topic of discussion, especially considering the expected rise in budget and mid-market offerings. The January Pipeline Report from STR Global reports there are 538 hotels totalling 151,771 rooms under contract in the Middle East and 321 hotels totalling 62,194 rooms in Africa.
2. Diversifying source markets will also be a key area of discussion for Middle East destinations looking to differentiate their markets and attract a larger volume of visitors.
3. Responsible tourism will headline several seminar theatre sessions at this year’s Arabian Travel Market as government legislation, increased focus on the traveller footprint and the impact of natural disasters on country economies put the spotlight on the importance of effective sustainable travel strategies.
4. The growth in room keys will also be a hot topic this year. According to a recent Knight Frank report, Makkah reported the largest number of rooms under construction with 21,068 rooms in 13 hotels. Three other markets reported more than 5,000 rooms under construction: Dubai, (19,846 rooms in 63 hotels); Riyadh (6,738 rooms in 30 hotels); and Doha (5,980 rooms in 26 hotels).
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