Business Events And Festivals Fuel Socio-Economic Growth At Arabian Travel Market In UAE

At the Arabian Travel Market (ATM), tourism leaders from the UAE, alongside representatives from the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) and the International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO), gathered to discuss how major events and festivals are boosting socio-economic growth in the UAE. The panel, moderated by Senthil Gopinath, CEO of ICCA, included Ahmed Al-Khaja, Mubarak Al Shamsi, Iyad Rasbey, and Martin Thomas Boyle.

Ahmed Al-Khaja highlighted Dubai's festivals' significant impact on its cultural and economic landscape. He emphasised the Dubai Shopping Festival, launched in 1996, as a key event attracting both locals and international tourists annually. This festival has played a crucial role in enhancing Dubai's global appeal.

Mubarak Al Shamsi discussed Abu Dhabi's success in hosting major exhibitions and conferences. He noted that these events have delivered clear economic benefits. However, their strategy goes beyond numbers, aiming for a lasting legacy aligned with Vision 2030. This vision focuses on advancing sectors like healthcare, innovation, sustainability, and energy.

Iyad Rasbey pointed out that events have significantly contributed to Ras Al Khaimah's growth. The Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) segment has been vital to this progress. Last year saw a 40% growth in Ras Al Khaimah, with MICE being the fourth largest contributor.

Rasbey highlighted past events like the Global Citizen Forum that attracted investors and high-net-worth individuals to Ras Al Khaimah. Hosting the Arab Aviation Summit also connected Ras Al Khaimah International Airport with 11 cities globally. These events have been pivotal for tourism growth in the emirate.

Elsewhere at ATM, experts discussed emerging travel microtrends reshaping global travel behaviours. Fouad Talat from Booking.com, John Bevan of dnata Travel Group, and Amani O’Neill from Airbnb explored trends such as sleep tourism, dark tourism, and coffee tourism. They examined how these trends influence destination evolution.

Adapting to New Tourism Trends

The speakers advised tourism providers to adjust marketing strategies to align with these microtrends. They offered practical applications for incorporating these trends into long-term planning to stay competitive in the evolving travel landscape.

The Business Events Stage will host an exclusive networking session tomorrow at ATM. Participants will engage with international and regional associations to foster strategic relationships and unlock collaboration opportunities. This week’s ATM features 2,800 exhibitors and expects 55,000 attendees worldwide.

Attendees will gain insights from over 200 high-profile speakers across more than 70 conference sessions on various stages including Global Stage and Future Stage. They will connect with industry professionals from over 161 countries during this eventful week at ATM.

With inputs from WAM