Hotel & Tourism SMARTreport #37

EVENTS
Hotel & Tourism
SMARTreport #37
2018 Winter Edition 9
ARABIAN TRAVEL MARKET
GROWING IN IMPORTANCE
Marking 25 years in 2018, Arabian Travel Market is the largest travel trade show in the
region, attracting 40,000 visitors last year. Ahead of its return to Dubai World Trade Centre
on 22-25 April, Simon Press, Senior Exhibition Director, explains why this year’s show is all
about responsibility.
Why did ATM adopt responsible tourism as its
theme for 2018?
The UNWTO estimates tourism is responsible
for about 5% of global CO 2
emissions and
accommodation accounts for approximately
20% of emissions from tourism. However,
travellers have become very conscious of their
carbon footprint and now look to their hotels,
tour companies and airlines to do more for the
environment.
This growing trend has meant the entire
industry has had to look long and hard at how
sustainability and a credible social consciousness
must drive business strategy. World Travel
Market London has been at the forefront of
responsible tourism for over 20 years and
provides the inspiration for ATM 2018, where
we will showcase MENA’s leading sustainable
hospitality businesses.
What are the highlights at the 25 th anniversary
edition of the show?
The tourism industry in the GCC has grown
ten-fold and more since we first opened our
show doors. Today we have the tallest buildings
and tallest hotels; revolutionary transport
infrastructure; theme parks and leisure attractions
that are the envy of the rest of the world.
ATM 2018 will reflect on this success, while
exploring how the industry will shape up
over the next 25 years, in light of continuing
geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainties,
huge technological advances and, of course, the
increasing trend of responsible tourism. We have
a line-up of top speakers scheduled to deliver
keynotes, panel discussions and presentations
over four days. The show will also see the return of
the Wellness and Spa Lounge, in partnership with
the Global Wellness Institute, and our popular
networking platforms Buyers’ Speed Networking
and Digital Influencer Speed Networking
Simon
Press
Senior Exhibition Director,
Arabian Travel Market (ATM)
and World Travel Market (WTM)
SMART DATA FOR
LUXURY LOCATIONS:
THEME FOR EHMA
AGM 2018
Examining ways data can be
leveraged in the marketing
of luxury properties, this
year’s annual general
meeting of the European
Hotel Managers Association
will have decidedly hightech
undertones.
EHMA was established in
Rome in 1974 as a nonprofit
association of Hotel
Managers operating first
Don Pepe
Gran Melia resort
class and luxury hotels
across Europe, with an aim
of safeguarding the ethics
of the hotel profession.
Marbella has been chosen as
the setting for this, the 45th
annual general meeting of
EHMA, due to take place
from 16-18 March. Venues
will include the Don Pepe
Gran Melia resort, along
with the Puerto Romano
Beach Resort and Spa and
the M Marbella