Arabian Travel Market 2023 makes Net...

ATM will unveil 30 long-term sustainability goals to mark its 30th annual event

Arabian Travel Market (ATM) has announced that ‘Working Towards Net Zero’ will be its official theme for ATM 2023, which takes place at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 1 to 4 May 2023.

RX (Reed Exhibitions), the organiser of ATM, will celebrate its 30th annual event by unveiling a dedicated sustainability pledge, not only to make the ATM 2023 event more sustainable but to announce 30 long-term goals as ATM works towards net zero in line with the RX Global pledge.

ATM Exhibition Director Danielle Curtis said: “If the UAE and the wider Middle East are to achieve their net zero ambitions, the travel and tourism industry will play a vital role, given its share of regional economic activity and of course its growth potential.

“With COP27 being held in Sharm El Sheikh this year and COP28 in Dubai in 2023, it is essential that hotels, airlines, leisure resorts and all associated companies start to put their sustainability strategies in place. While unveiling our strategic path to net zero, ATM 2023 will also provide an ideal platform for industry players to engage with sustainability experts and their peers to address the challenges of achieving net zero.”

According to a World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) report, travel and tourism account for between 8% to11% of the world’s emissions. It also revealed that 42% of the travel and tourism businesses analysed currently have publicly announced climate targets, 61% of travellers say they want to travel more sustainably in the future and over 80% of travellers plan to prioritise sustainability in their travels in the coming year.

Research by Skift and McKinsey has found that globally, more than 3,500 organisations across all industries have set emission-reduction targets, including airlines, hotels, restaurants, and those providing leisure and tourism services. Air travel alone is predicted to account for 12 to 27% of global emissions by 2050, and 40% of travellers globally say they are willing to pay at least 2% more for carbon-neutral flight tickets.

Curtis added: “Compounding the challenges of reaching net zero, travel activity is expected to soar by 85% from 2016 to 2030.”

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Each year, ATM highlights specific aspects of travel that will be pivotal in determining the direction the industry will take moving forward. The show will explore how innovative sustainable travel trends will evolve and identify strategies for growth within specific key vertical sectors.

The ATM 2023 conference programme is being specifically developed to address sustainability issues across the travel and tourism industry, with commentary from leadership figures representing a variety of sectors such as Destinations, Travel Technology, Airlines, Cruise, Hospitality, Car Rental and Hotels.

For more information, visit www.wtm.com/atm