Dubai: On the opening day of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) today, tourism leaders from the UAE were joined by representatives from the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) and the International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO) on the Business Events Stage, to examine how major events and festivals are driving socio-economic growth in the UAE.
According to Emirates News Agency, the panel was moderated by Senthil Gopinath, CEO of ICCA, and included key figures such as Ahmed Al-Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment, Dubai Economy and Tourism; Mubarak Al Shamsi, Director of Abu Dhabi Convention and Exhibition Bureau, Department of Culture and Tourism; Iyad Rasbey, VP - Destination Tourism Development, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority; and Martin Thomas Boyle, CEO of IAPCO. The discussion focused on how events are enhancing destination appeal and fostering socio-economic growth across the Middle East.
Opening the session, Al-Khaja elaborated on the pivotal role that festivals in Dubai have played in shaping the city's cultural and economic landscape. He highlighted the Dubai Shopping Festival, launched in 1996, as a particularly influential event that attracts both local residents and international tourists annually.
Commenting on the strategy for Abu Dhabi, Al Shamsi noted that the emirate has achieved remarkable success in hosting major exhibitions, conferences, and events. He emphasized that the strategy goes beyond numbers, aiming to create a long-lasting legacy aligned with Vision 2030, focusing on sectors like healthcare, innovation, sustainability, and energy.
Rasbey discussed the importance of events in Ras Al Khaimah's growth, stating that the Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions (MICE) sector has significantly contributed to their 40% growth last year. He cited events like the Global Citizen Forum and the Arab Aviation Summit as key contributors to the Emirate's development.
Elsewhere today, Fouad Talat, Regional Manager of Booking.com, John Bevan, CEO of dnata Travel Group, and Amani O'Neill, Senior Public Policy Manager for the Middle East at Airbnb, discussed microtrends redefining travel. They covered trends such as sleep tourism, dark tourism, and coffee tourism, explaining their impact on global travel behaviors and destination evolution.
During the discussion, the speakers advised tourism providers to adjust their marketing strategies to align with these trends, offering practical applications for incorporating microtrends into long-term planning.
Tomorrow at ATM, the Business Events Stage will host a networking session for participants to engage with international and regional associations, fostering strategic relationships and exchanging business leads.
This week, ATM will showcase 2,800 exhibitors and is expected to host 55,000 attendees. Participants will gain insights from over 200 high-profile speakers across more than 70 conference sessions on the Global Stage, Future Stage, and the new Business Events Stage, connecting with industry professionals from over 161 countries.