Inayat-ur-Rahman, Gulf Today

As the physical instalment of Arabian Travel Market 2021 drew to a close, Dubai’s Department of Tourism ad Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism) hailed a safe and successful week at the world’s first in-person international travel trade event in 18 months that was held from May 16 – 19 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.  The event has undoubtedly given a kick-start to global tourism recovery and further reinforced the positive outlook for Dubai’s tourism sector in 2021 and beyond.

The large stand representing the host city featured more than 70 representatives from Dubai’s public and private sectors including government entities, the world’s leading hotel groups, major attractions and tourism service provider. Apart from Dubai Tourism, among the other notable entities at the Dubai stand were Expo 2020 - who showcased the programme that will unfold at the region’s first World Expo starting in October - Dubai Police, Dubai Health Authority, General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs - Dubai (GDRFA–Dubai), Dubai Municipality and Dubai Culture, in addition to the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding (SMCCU).

Across the four days of the event, Dubai Tourism and Dubai stakeholders held over 6,000 meetings with travel trade professionals and executives and hosted a total of 70 prospective buyers from over 18 countries including Italy, Mexico, Poland, Romania and Germany. In addition to meeting with key stakeholders at the exhibition, the group of international trade delegates experienced a taste of true Arabian hospitality with their visit to Dubai organised By Dubai Tourism with the support of key stakeholders and partners including Emirates, FlyDubai, Caesars Palace and Ain Dubai. The buyers were also taken on a sight-seeing tour of the city that saw them visiting Dubai’s most iconic landmarks and attractions including Bluewaters Island and Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, courtesy of Arabian Adventure and Rida Tours.

As optimistic sentiment reverberated throughout the exhibition venue as the latest revision to the precautionary measures in Dubai was announced. This included increasing the hotel occupancy to 100 per cent, allowing entertainment facilities and venues to have an increased capacity of 70 per cent and providing an opportunity for people to attend specified events provided they are vaccinated was welcomed by exhibitors and visitors as it highlighted a brighter future ahead for global tourism in general and Dubai in particular.

Rotana expansion plans:  Continuing the tradition for the 24th successive year, Rotana, one of the leading hotel management companies in the region with hotels across the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe and Turkey, is showcasing its developing and dynamic portfolio of superlative hospitality offerings at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2021.

 Commenting on the importance of the event, Rotana President and CEO Guy Hutchinson, said: “ATM plays a significant role in the growth of the travel and tourism industry and this year, it has an even more important role to play, as key figures from the sector will deliberate on critical factors for a strong, fast-paced and sustainable recovery, which will also be pivotal for overall economic growth. The global event provides an excellent platform for us to explore further growth opportunities and put in place building blocks for future development” added Hutchinson.

The COVID-19 crisis has been one of the toughest experiences on record to date, creating a unique inflection point for the global hospitality business, and this year’s ATM will play a major role in reuniting the travel and trade industries. The keynote centers on ‘Tourism for a brighter future’ and will discuss how swift, sustainable growth is vital for the industry’s recovery.

Makram El Zyr, Rotana’s Corporate Vice President for Development stated: “Rotana currently operates 68 hotels in 24 cities across 14 countries, including an impressive 10,012 keys across 36 hotels in the UAE. The group’s pipeline consists of 40 upcoming projects including 10 that will deliver in the next three years more than 3,000 keys to the market. This is a testament to the competencies of the homegrown brand and its expansion strategy to operate hotels in key locations in high growth markets”.  

The new property signings represent another major milestone in Rotana’s burgeoning development strategy, and it remains firmly on course for international expansion. The hospitality group, which currently operates seven hotels in KSA and has a further 5 properties under development, is adding two new properties in Al Baha and Jubail under the Rayhaan Hotels & Resorts by Rotana brand to its pipeline in KSA. Rotana will be opening the five-star Rayhaan Hotels & Resorts in Jubail in Q1 2022 and the four-star mountain resort project in 2024.  

In Manama, Rotana is looking to capitalise on the growing demand for the long-stay segment and has signed an agreement under Residences by Rotana. Set to open in 2022, the property will feature 483 keys and provide an extended stay-focused brand to the Kingdom of Bahrain. Furthermore, Rotana is keen to provide its guests with a holistic living experience by offering a home-away-from-home setting within the city, introducing a 220-key Arjaan Hotel Apartments by Rotana, which is scheduled to open in 2023.