ATM 2023 launches sustainable stand...

The initiative is intended to encourage the use of bio-degradable and recyclable materials for stands

Highlighting the event’s commitment conscious travel, Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2023, will feature a sustainability category at its annual exhibitor awards next year for the first time.

The new award aims to recognise exhibiting organisations that have considered the impact that their stand will have on the environment and the efforts they have made to reduce or offset their carbon footprint.

The criteria will include the use of bio-degradable, reusable and recyclable materials for the stand build, digital marketing materials, limited single use plastics, reduced freight and logistics emissions, waste management, as well as recycling and or reusing the stand for multiple events, plus carbon offsetting initiatives.

The award will be judged in advance of the show by the ATM operations team, with advice and support from an independent sustainability expert.

Commenting on the announcement, Danielle Curtis, Arabian Travel Market exhibition director Middle East, said: “We are aware of the incredible amount of effort and investment that goes into designing, building and manning exhibition stands at Arabian Travel Market.

“For our 2023 event, we wanted to include a category that provided synergy with our official theme, ‘Working Towards Net Zero’ and furthermore one that supports the UAE’s broader net zero commitment as well as RX’s mission to deliver Net Zero Carbon events by 2040.”

“The sustainability award will be open to all exhibitors who can nominate themselves with a justification against certain criteria that will be clearly laid out in the ATM operations manual.”

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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.

ATM 2022 attracted over 24,000 visitors and hosted over 31,000 participants, including 1,600 exhibitors and attendees from 151 countries, across 10 halls at Dubai World Trade Centre.

ATM will take place at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 1 to 4 May 2023. For more information, visit www.wtm.com/atm