ATM 2023 to highlight related opportunities and challenges

Industry experts will gather in the UAE to discuss sustainable decision-making and financing during the International Tourism & Investment Conference (ITIC) Middle East Tourism Investment Session at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2023, which will take place at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) from 1-4 May, 2023.

Related opportunities and challenges will be placed under the microscope throughout ATM 2023, thanks to a range of panel discussions and events related to industry financing. In addition to the ITIC panels, this year’s show will feature sessions highlighting industry-critical issues such as travel tech investment, the contemporary geopolitical landscape, urban regeneration, future markets, space tourism and more.

Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said, “With nearly 160,000 hotel rooms under development across the GCC, this region is undoubtedly a global hotspot for industry investment right now. Thanks to the participation of ITIC and a host of other finance-related sessions, ATM 2023 represents the ideal forum for travel, tourism and hospitality professionals from around the world to explore the latest investment opportunities and novel financing models with some of the biggest names in our sector.”

Taking place on day three of ATM 2023, the “ITIC Tourism Investment Session: Making Sustainable Decisions” will feature insights from an array of industry experts. The sessions will begin with a tourism economic outlook for 2023 from Gerald Lawless, Director of ITIC Ltd, Invest Tourism Ltd and Ambassador for the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).

The 30th edition of the show will also feature “Plug and Play: Sustainable Tech - Startups Pitch Battle”, which will see seven entrepreneurs pitch their innovative solutions in front of a panel of independent industry experts at ATM 2023’s brand-new Sustainability Hub.

Other investment-related highlights at ATM 2023 will include sessions on financing sustainable travel, backing green technologies, strengthening the supply chain, future-proofing the travel sector against geopolitical turmoil, the power of urban regeneration, future markets and space tourism.

The 30th edition of ATM will explore the future of sustainable travel in line with its theme, “Working Towards Net Zero”. Having officially initiated its journey to net zero, the conference programme will explore how innovative sustainable travel trends are likely to evolve, allowing delegates to identify growth strategies within key vertical sectors, while providing a platform for regional experts to explore a sustainable future ahead of COP28, which will take place in November 2023 at Expo City Dubai.

The conference will also feature a sustainability category at its annual exhibitor awards for the first time. Exhibiting organisations will be recognised based on the extent to which they have considered the environmental impact of their stands, as well as their efforts to reduce their carbon footprint.

ATM 2023 is 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.

Separately, Qatar Airways will participate in the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2023, taking place from May 1 to May 4, in Dubai. ATM is the leading global event for the travel industry in the Middle East.

At the exhibition, the national carrier of Qatar will showcase QVerse, a virtual reality experience to tour the Premium Check-in area at Hamad International Airport (HIA) and to explore the award-winning Business Class Qsuite. Along with multiple other announcements, Qatar Airways and Qatar Tourism will share plans for the upcoming year featuring expected developments on products and services. The award-winning airline looks forward to meeting with trade partners, as well as travel and tourism professionals.

Qatar Airways is strongly positioned to continue to lead the global recovery of the aviation industry as the ‘World’s Best Airline’ has introduced new routes earlier this year as part of a robust growing network, stronger agreements and leading partnerships.

The Global Partner and Official Airline of F1, in partnership with Qatar Airways Holidays, announced lately the launch of its exclusive travel packages for the upcoming F1 races this season. The travel packages allow fans to be up-close to high-octane action, and exclusively enjoy unique experiences including pit lane walks, guided track tours, and special events with select F1 drivers. Recently, Qatar has upgraded the Hayya platform previously used to manage tourists entering the country for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2023. Now, the Hayya platform has become the only portal in which tourists and business travellers should use to apply for visas to Qatar.

The Arab Ministerial Council for Tourism named Doha as Arab Tourism Capital for 2023, a recognition of Qatar’s development in the travel and tourism industry.As Qatar Airways’ sponsorship portfolio continues to grow, it anticipates attracting more tourists than ever in the coming years. The airline will present some of its most exciting events taking place throughout 2023 around Doha.

The airline also significantly grew its network to over 160 destinations and focused on expansion in the Gulf region. Qatar Airways currently flies to Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah, and more recently, to Ras Al Khaimah in the UAE. The World’s Best Airline currently operates 84 weekly flights to the UAE, firmly cementing the importance of the region.