Arabian Travel Market 2021: UAE’s tourism industry set for impressive recovery

Arabian Travel Market 2021, the first large scale face-to-face travel industry event since the outbreak of pandemic unlocked business potential within the Middle East for inbound and outbound tourism professionals. Tourism destinations from around the world showcased a diverse range of accommodation options, breathtaking tourism attractions, and travel technology and key airline routes. Also, for the first time in the event's 28-year history, this year's showcase runs as a hybrid event, with ATM Virtual set to take place a week later, which means that the conference  programme are delivered across both live and virtual platforms.

Aviamost Magazine joined the leading tourism brands and destinations during Arabian Travel Market to learn more about the projects which have been announced and how hotels regenerate in a changing world.

Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Tourism said: “ATM plays a pivotal role in further strengthening the sector in what has been one of the most challenging periods for global tourism, and we look forward to using it as a springboard to bring travel back to life”.

Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, ATM, said: This year’s edition of ATM is especially significant in order to enable a strong comeback for the industry. The theme of the event “A New Damn for Travel and Tourism” has never been more relevant nor important.”  This message of recovery was integrated into all of the show verticals and planned activities.

With less than five month to go until the next World Expo opens its doors on October 1, 2021, Expo 2020 Dubai is on track to host an exceptional sox-month celebration.

Sumathi Ramanathan, Vice President, Market Strategya and Sales at Expo 2020 Dubai said: “These are unprecedented times, but we look forward to welcoming millions of visitors to Dubai this year. Expo 2020 Dubai and more than 200 participants remain firm in their collective commitment to deliver an expo that’s true to its time and to our shared, urgent priorities. Now, more than ever, humanity needs to come together to remember what unites us.”

Saudi Arabia remains optimistic about the future of tourism and stands firm in its mission to become one of the Middle East's most visited destinations.

In the last decade, the Kingdom unveiled its bold vision to become one of the Middle East's most visited destinations. Plans to further cement the kingdom's status as the next must-visit destination in the region are still afoot, in spite of the temporary disruption caused by the coronavirus crisis. 

Raki Philips, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority said: “Our goal over the next five years and beyond is to attract over 3 million tourists a year - that is our long term goal for the destination.  Russia and CIS markets are very important to us. To say that, from April Rossiya Airlines commences direct flights between Ras Al Khaimah and nine cities in Russia. SCAT Airlines commenced direct flights between the emirate and eight cities in Kazakhstan.”

For the first time during the COVID-19 pandemic, the tourism potential of Azerbaijan, including the Karabakh region, in particular, the city of Shusha, was presented at Arabian Travel Market-2021. Florian Sengstschmid, Chief Executive Officer of the Azerbaijan Tourism Board noted that the exhibition is a good platform for promoting Karabakh as a new tourist destination.

Emaar Hospitality Group launched its first resort under the Vida Hotels Resorts brand in Umm Al Quwain.

Mark Kirby, Head of Hospitality, Emaar Hospitality Group said: "I think what's changing in the hotels now is that people are really wanting to feel safe. COVID-19 has completely disrupted the traditional office culture and the hospitality sector has been quick to offer alternative solutions for those looking to combine wirking from home with leissure time. The introduction of workation concept is not just a novel idea, it's about making adjustments to meet the new market demands, allowing those who are currently working from their office to enjoy a luxury hospitality experience whilst continuing their professional commitments.

The new four-star hotel property development Millennium Place Mirdif in Mirdif Hills community by Dubai Real Estate Co will be opened in Q4, 2021.

Bassam Bou Sleiman General Manager of Millennium Place Mirdif, stated: “It is an exciting property and a new addition to Mirdif area as the only hotel spot within a residential neighborhood that will add to the list of touristic destinations in Dubai. And I look forward to this new challenge. The hotel will be featuring 248 keys of which 116 rooms and 132 residential apartments along with a variety of dining options including Hunter & Barrel from Australia, Batchig “The Lebanese-Armenian Restaurant” and many more.”

Rotana CEO and President Guy Hutchinson said: "The COVID-19 crisis has been one of the toughest on record for the global hospitality industry. The key to surviving and excelling in these times has been the ability to pivot from traditional operating models and seize emerging opportunities.