Exhibitors from 150 countries and 65 national pavilions expected at Arabian Travel Market Dubai

ATM will welcome more than 2,600 exhibitors from over 150 countries and will have 65 national pavilions

At a press conference to launch ATM, Simon Press, Senior Exhibition Director, ATM, said: “The increasing trend is for an immersive style of tourism, which encompasses different areas of local life – culinary, culture, history, shopping, nature, sports, halal, theme parks, wellness and spa, medical tourism and sheer Arabic opulence – and can be the basis for a holistic travel experience, by connecting with a place rather than just making a visit.”

Issam Kazim, CEO, Dubai’s Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism) said “2017 began on a strong note for inbound tourism to Dubai with over three million overnight visitors recorded in January and February, representing a 12 per cent year-on-year growth in visitor numbers. A large part of this continued success is due to the ongoing support from our partners – from new and existing attractions, to airlines and travel agents – all working together to evolve and innovate Dubai’s destination offering.”

Thierry Antinori, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, Emirates Airlines, said: “Experiential travel, ATM’s theme for this year, is about providing more choice, and as an airline, we are seeing rising demand from consumers for more authentic and engaging travel experiences. With 155 destinations in our growing network, savvy travelers can tap into up-and-coming destinations like Myanmar, Vietnam, Zambia, as well as Cambodia and Croatia – two new destinations we will be launching this summer.”

Olivier Harnisch, Chief Executive Officer of Emaar Hospitality Group, commented: “The Arabian Travel Market 2017 offers us a significant platform to highlight our three exceptional hotel brands – Address Hotels + Resorts, a premium luxury hotel and residences brand; Vida Hotels and Resorts, an upscale lifestyle hotel and residences brand; and Rove Hotels, a contemporary midscale hotel and residences brand – and to showcase the properties under these brands.”

Anwar A.Z Abu Monassar, Destination Director, Strategy & Operation, The Vision, said: “Arabian Travel Market is the premier event in our industry, where we can network and showcase our products and projects to a huge, captive audience. As official ground handlers, The Vision Destination Management are glad to contribute to this success story, which started some 24 years ago.”