A number of special events were also organised on the agenda, to mark three decades of ATM
The 30th edition of the Arabian Travel Market concluded successfully in Dubai, recording a participation of more than 40,000 people – including 30,000 visitors. In a press statement, the organisers say that this not only reflects a 5 pc rise over 2019 but also a year-over-year growth of 29 pc in attendees compared to 2022, setting a new record for the event and highlighting how rapidly the travel and tourism industry in the Middle East is growing.
The statement says that in keeping with ATM 2023‘s theme of Working Towards Net Zero, over 2,100 exhibitors and delegates from more than 150 nations gathered at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) to discuss how the industry can guarantee sustainable travel for future generations.
Danielle Curtis
“My colleagues and I are thrilled that so many tourism professionals were able to join us in Dubai to celebrate the 30th edition of the show and shine a spotlight on our sector’s ongoing journey to net zero. The fact that we witnessed record attendance at ATM 2023 is extremely encouraging and a strong indication that the Middle East’s travel industry is once again in excellent shape,” says Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market.
It adds that a number of special events were also organised on the agenda, to mark three decades of ATM. The prestigious Pearl Award was created exclusively for the 30th edition of ATM and awarded to Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of Dubai Duty Free, for his outstanding contribution to the travel and tourism sector in the UAE. Hilton bagged the inaugural Sustainable Stand Award.
It goes on to say that moderated by Eleni Giokos, Anchor and Correspondent CNN, the show’s opening session delved into a climate change debate as tourism heads took to the Global Stage. The prestigious line-up of speakers included Sujit Mohanty, Regional Division for the Arab States, United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR); Dr Abed Al Razzaq Arabiyat, Managing Director, Jordan Tourism Board; and Walid Nassar, Lebanon’s Minister of Tourism.
