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8 events not to miss during Arabian Travel Market 2022

8 events not to miss during Arabian Travel Market 2022

We bring you the highlights of what’s set to be an action-packed four days for the world of travel and tourism

Now in its 29th year, Arabian Travel Market (ATM) is the leading international travel and tourism event in the Middle East for inbound and outbound tourism professionals.

ATM 2021 showcased over 1,300 exhibiting companies from 62 countries across nine halls at Dubai World Trade Centre, with attendees from more than 110 countries over four days last May.

Here is our pick of eight things not to miss at this year’s show next week.

1 The Future of International Travel
ATM Global Stage, 12pm-1pm, Monday 9 May
The event’s opening session will draw on the expertise of leading industry figures including Issam Kazim, chief executive officer, Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing; Jochem-Jan Sleiffer, president, Middle East, Africa & Turkey, Hilton; and Bilal Kabbani, industry head, Travel & Tourism, Google, who will identify the new trends and global movements steering the sector forward. The panel will share the factors, priorities and innovations that are reshaping the industry for generations to come.

2. ATM Travel Tech
ATM Travel Tech Stage, Monday 9 to Thursday 12 May
Revamped and rebranded, ATM Travel Tech (previously known as Travel Forward) comprises four days of insightful talks, presentations and panel discussion centred on technology’s impact on travel. ATM Travel Tech could essentially run as a standalone event. Don’t miss highlights including The Road to Seamless Travel (10.30am to 11.30am, Tuesday 10 May) moderated by Travolution editor Lee Hayhurst, which will cover everything you need to know about the latest advancements in travel technology.

Industry figures will share their expertise throughout the event

3. Tomorrowland’s Big Announcement
DWTC, Al Ain Suites B, 2pm-3pm, Monday 9 May
No details have yet been revealed as to what the announcement entails, but the exclusive invitation that was sent to a select few has industry insiders buzzing with anticipation.

4. The Future of Transport
ATM Global Stage, 12pm-12.45pm, Tuesday 10 May
In this panel discussion, aviation industry leaders Kata Cserep, vice president and global managing director of aviation at ICF; Kuljit Ghata-Aura, META president of Boeing; and Karime Makalouf, chief commercial officer of Royal Jordanian, discuss the future of transport in the GCC and whether the rise of rail, cruise and developments in aircraft technology will impact the aviation industry in the next 20 years.

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5. Rotana’s New Brand Launch
ATM, Rotana Stand HC0720, 11am-12pm, Tuesday 10 May
As part of the hospitality group’s ambitious expansion plans, Rotana will reveal its latest brand at this year’s show. The announcement will be made in the presence of Rotana chairman Nasser Al Nowais and Rotana president and CEO Guy Hutchinson. The announcement will be followed by lunch on the second floor of the stand at 12pm.

Major announcements are expected from the exhibitors in attendance

6. Qatar Returns After a Three-year Hiatus
ATM, Hall 1 Stand ME1210, 9-10 May
Set to welcome the world at FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 in a few months, the Gulf nation is in the midst of a hospitality development boom with several hotels and tourism projects in the pipeline. In attendance at the Qatar Tourism stand will be Qatar Tourism chief operating officer Berthold Trenkel and Phil Dickinson, vice president of International Markets, who will reveal major developments during the first two days of the event. For enquiries, email pdickinson@visitqatar.qa

7. Connecting Travel Insight Report 2022 Launch
Hyde Hotel, Business Bay, 12pm-2pm, Wednesday 11 May
This offsite event taking place during ATM celebrates the launch of the inaugural Connecting Travel Insights Report produced in partnership with Deloitte. Aimed at travel industry leaders, the report presents objective analysis of the state of travel, tourism and hospitality in the GCC in 2022. The event comprises a networking lunch and a panel discussion on the report findings with Muzzammil Ahussain, executive vice president of Seera Group; John Bevan, divisional senior vice president of dnata Travel; and Hoor Al Khaja, acting associate vice president of International Operations for the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism. All guests will receive a free copy of the report. To attend, email andy.hibberd@jacobsmediagroup.com

The ATM Best Stand Awards will be announced on Wednesday 11 May

8. ATM Best Stand Awards 2022
This year’s ATM Best Stand Awards will recognise creative design, people skills and the business-friendly appeal of exhibiting companies’ stands at the annual showcase. The five categories this year will be Best Stand Design, Best Stand for Doing Business, Best Stand Feature, Best New Stand, Best Stand at ATM Travel Tech and the People’s Choice Award. Judging by a panel of journalists and industry professionals will take place on day two of the show, Tuesday 10 May, with the winners announced on day three, Wednesday 11 May.

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

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