Inayat-ur-Rahman, Business Editor
The UAE is a magnet for global tourists and a safe haven for investors. Gulf Today shares the candid views, announcements and expansion plans of the exhibitors during ATM on Thursday.
Hyatt shares that its UAE portfolio of hotels and resorts are showing rising travel demand trends across the summer, reinforcing the country’s appeal as a year-round travel hotspot for international and regional visitors.
The company saw an occupancy percentage growth of almost 20% across Hyatt branded hotels in the UAE in August 2024, compared to the same period in 2022. Additionally, the pace for summer 2025 bookings signals that this upward trend is set to continue, with travel interest up 30% versus the same time last year.
Hyatt made its debut in the UAE more than 44 years ago, with the opening of Hyatt Regency Dubai in 1980. “The UAE continues to solidify its position as a top global destination, with incredible hospitality offerings, tourist attractions, cultural experiences and globally renowned city-wide events.”, commented Stephen Ansell, Managing Director, Middle East and Africa, Hyatt. “In the last three years, we have witnessed continuous upward trends with travel demand across both business and leisure segments in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and we see this steady growth of interest not only in the winter months but also in the summer, which reinforces the destination’s draw to travellers all year-round.”
The German National Tourist Office (GNTO) GCC concluded a highly successful showing at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025, reinforcing Germany’s commitment to the Gulf region and underlining the growing appeal of its culturally immersive and sustainable travel experiences.
The German pavilion at ATM featured 27 co-exhibitors, covering 135 square metres of the Europe Hall. Representatives from German destinations, hotels, airports, airlines, healthcare partners, retail and travel service providers held numerous meetings with regional travel agents, tour operators, and media professionals over the four-day event, strengthening bilateral tourism ties and exploring opportunities for collaboration.
In 2024, the number of visitors from the GCC to Germany reached over 489,689, reflecting a steady year-on-year increase of 1.2 per cent and a significant rise of 21 per cent compared to total visitor numbers in 2022. This growth demonstrates the ongoing appeal of Germany as a preferred destination for Gulf travellers and highlights the effectiveness of GNTO’s targeted regional engagement and marketing strategies.
Yamina Sofo, Director at the German National Tourist Office GCC, said: “Arabian Travel Market is an essential platform for engaging with our regional partners and understanding the evolving expectations of travellers from the GCC. Germany is seeing sustained growth in this market, and we are committed to offering experiences that combine authenticity, accessibility, and environmental responsibility. From vibrant city breaks to peaceful natural escapes, Germany continues to meet the needs of GCC families, couples, and explorers alike.”
Millennium Al Rawdah Hotel: Millennium Al Rawdah Hotel exhibited at the event on a strong note. As a distinguished nominee for the International Travel Awards 2024 in the ‘Best Architecture Design Hotel’ category, the hotel continues to set benchmarks in luxury hospitality and architectural innovation.
Architectural Brilliance Recognized The hotel’s architectural design, characterized by its curved glass façade and wavy structures symbolizing desert dunes and ripples, has garnered international acclaim.
The blue and green glass panels create a mosaic effect, reflecting the colours of the Arabian Gulf.
Nidal Saloum, General Manager, Millennium Al Rawdah Hotel, said: “Our nomination for Best Architecture Design Hotel at the International Travel Awards 2024 is a recognition of the hard work and vision that went into creating this masterpiece. We are incredibly proud and fortunate to be considered among the best.”
Arjaan by Rotana Dubai: Arjaan by Rotana Dubai served as the official venue sponsor for the Tourist Security Awareness Workshop in close collaboration with Dubai Police and several esteemed government authorities.
The workshop was designed to elevate the standards of guest safety, health, and security by aligning hotel practices with official protocols set by Dubai’s leading public institutions.
Attended by key hotel professionals from Rotana properties across the city, the initiative highlighted the importance of cross-sector collaboration in ensuring Dubai remains a safe and welcoming destination for all.
Facilitated by high-ranking officials from key departments — including the Tourist Police, Civil Defense, Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services, Dubai Municipality, Department of Economy and Tourism, and the Cyber Crimes Department — the event covered critical topics ranging from suspicious item handling to first aid, customer care, and digital safety.
“This workshop is a shining example of how public-private partnerships can drive real impact,” said Timur Ilgaz, Area Vice President for Dubai and Northern Emirates at Rotana and Cluster General Manager of Arjaan by Rotana Dubai. “We’re truly grateful to the Dubai Police and all participating authorities for their invaluable support and for equipping our teams with the knowledge to maintain the highest safety standards.” Held at the state-of-the-art Skylight Hall, the event reflected the shared vision between Rotana and Dubai’s governmental bodies to prioritize safety.
SOHBA Hospitality Management: Marking a new chapter in the regional hospitality landscape, SOHBA Hospitality Management announced its official formation and floated at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025 in Dubai. Established with a passion for operational excellence and authentic guest experiences, SOHBA Hospitality Management specialises in bespoke hotel management solutions, offering owners a dynamic and flexible pathway to long-term success.
Headquartered in Egypt, SOHBA Hospitality Management has been founded with a strong focus on supporting tourism development across Egypt while building a robust growth pipeline in key GCC markets, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Eng. Mohammad Al-Nadi, President of SOHBA Hospitality Management, said, “At SOHBA Hospitality Management, we believe every hotel has its own soul, its own story. One size does not fit all. Our mission is to make owners proud, guests delighted, and brands confident through an approach that combines cultural authenticity with the highest service standards and truly personalised management. We are also deeply committed to supporting the growth of Egypt’s tourism sector by bringing world-class operational expertise and bespoke management solutions to new and existing hotel projects across the country.” Led by a strong team with decades of regional and international expertise, SOHBA Hospitality Management draws on extensive experience - shaped by both successes and challenges - to deliver a superior management model focused on agility, accountability, and asset value optimisation.
Michael Zager, CEO of SOHBA Hospitality Management, commented, “Our objective is not merely to manage hotels but to set them up for sustainable, long-term success. Brands provide the franchise, and SOHBA seamlessly manages the day-to-day operations on ground. This structure ensures operational discipline, strategic marketing, robust revenue management, and consistently high service delivery - combining the global reach of international brands with the personalisation of local management.”
Almaty Roadshow: The city of Almaty, Kazakhstan’s southern capital, successfully hosted a high- profile roadshow titled “Almaty Tourism Days in Dubai” during the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) Dubai 2025. The event marked a significant milestone in promoting Almaty’s tourism and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) potential to Middle Eastern, Asian, and European markets.
The roadshow welcomed over 50 representatives from tour operators, DMCs, and travel agencies based in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, and India, all of whom expressed strong interest in Almaty as a travel destination. As a result of the B2B networking meetings, 10 cooperation agreements were signed to boost inbound tourism to Kazakhstan.
Additionally, the Almaty City Tourism Department announced plans to: • Expand air connectivity with key Middle Eastern cities • Launch joint marketing campaigns • Ensure Almaty’s active participation in global tourism exhibitions, including the upcoming IMEX Frankfurt The roadshow highlighted growing interest in Almaty as a modern, safe, and unique destination for travelers from the Middle East and beyond.
Almaty’s roadshow was held alongside Kazakhstan’s official presence at ATM Dubai 2025, where the country unveiled a national pavilion featuring top Kazakh tour operators. The ATM exhibition annually attracts more than 50,000 tourism professionals from around the world and provided a powerful platform for Kazakhstan to showcase its tourism offerings — from nature and adventure experiences to gastronomic, cultural, and business travel packages.
Georgia: Georgia has firmly positioned itself as a premier travel destination at ATM 2025, building on the remarkable momentum of a record-breaking 2024. The country continues to experience impressive growth in its tourism sector, reaffirming its appeal to international travelers.
In 2024, Georgia welcomed 5.1 million international visitors — a 9% increase compared to 2023 and a significant milestone surpassing pre-pandemic figures from 2019. Tourism revenue also reached a historic high, generating $4.425 billion, reflecting a 7.3% growth from the previous year.
Voyager, the leading local Destination Management Company (DMC), remains the primary point of contact for the majority of tourism partners across the GCC and India, playing a key role in supporting and expanding inbound travel to the country. The United Arab Emirates continues to be Georgia’s main partner in the region, with regular direct flights operating from Dubai, Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi. With the summer season approaching, expectations are high for even greater visitor numbers in the coming months. Adding to its growing international reputation, Georgia proudly hosted the 2025 European Youth Olympic Winter Festival in Bakuriani, marking its debut as a winter host for this prestigious sporting event.
H World International: H World International, a leading global hospitality management group, is proud to commemorate the 95th anniversary of its flagship brand, Steigenberger Hotels & Resorts, a legacy rooted in culture, hospitality, and innovation. As part of this momentous occasion, the Group showcases nearly a century of hospitality excellence at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025.
“We are proud to celebrate 95 years of Steigenberger Hotels & Resorts, a brand that has stood the test of time,” said Siegfried Nierhaus, Vice President and Head of Business Development of H World International for the Middle East, Africa, and India. “Our participation at ATM 2025 is more than a showcase; it is a celebration of our journey, experiencing the Steigenberger brand grow to a globally admired symbol of hospitality. As we look ahead, we are excited to continue our expansion across key growth markets, bringing the Steigenberger experience to even more guests across the Middle East, Africa, and India.” As part of its regional growth strategy, H World International is targeting the opening of several new hotels across the Middle East, Africa, and India by 2028.
Louvre Hotels Group in the MENA Region (LHG), a leading hospitality management group, announces the expansion of its regional portfolio with several new openings slated for by 2026. These include the highly anticipated launch of Tulip Hotels & Residences at The Village Muscat in Oman, the introduction of the Kyriad brand in Saudi Arabia, and the upcoming debut of the luxury Tempting Places Collection in Oman and Morocco.
Commenting on the group’s regional expansion at Arabian Travel Market 2025, Rami A. Moukarzel, Board Member of Louvre Hotels Group says: “The introduction of Tulip Hotels & Residences in Oman and the Kyriad brand in Saudi Arabia marks a pivotal moment in our regional growth strategy. These expansions are not just about increasing key count; they’re about delivering the right hospitality solutions for a rapidly transforming market. We are bringing to life brands that resonate with the evolving needs of modern travellers, creating meaningful hospitality experiences tailored to each segment, and designed with purpose, identity and innovation. These openings are a testament to our commitment to shaping the future of affordable, experience-led hospitality across the Middle East and North Africa.”