Hybrid ATM sets bar high

Arabian Travel Market 2021 has successfully concluded both its in-person and virtual elements. The two exhibitions highlighted the need for collaboration and a growing need for being sustainable.

The in-person element of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2021 was hosted from May 16-19 in Dubai, with the virtual exhibition being conducted later, between May 24 and 26. At the first event, exhibitors from 62 countries and travel professionals from over 100 countries were represented, and highlighted that collaboration at government level was crucial for tourism recovery. Another popular sentiment at the event was the importance of sustainability in tourism products and actions of stakeholders, a requisite that the COVID-19 pandemic accentuated in its wake. “Putting sustainability at the heart of the future development of the tourism industry will be crucial to meet the expectations of local and international visitors, who are now more socially aware and informed than ever before. The industry has undoubtedly made huge strides in this area, with a range of initiatives across the sector positively impacting the environment,” said Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market.

Pushing the agenda further, the three-day ATM Virtual event saw discussions on aviation, regional tourism, destinations and technology. Those unable to attend the in-person event this year had the opportunity to view sessions recorded from the in-person event, as well as participate in a range of webinars, live conference sessions, roundtables, speed-networking events, destination briefings, as well as make new connections in one-to-one meetings. A key and relevant topic discussed during the exhibition days was exploring the changes afoot amid the rise of online travel agencies (OTAs) and what this means for tour and attraction operators. Other interesting subjects discussed were ‘Cultural Tourism for Growth’ and ‘Responsible Technology for Travel & Tourism’.