ARABIAN TRAVEL MARKET GETS UNDER WAY
Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai; Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, CEO and Chairman of Emirates airline and Group; and Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, visit the Emirates pavilion at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai on Monday. —
dubai — The first day of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) attracted huge crowd and a couple of major announcements where 2,800 exhibitors from around the world featuring a diverse and comprehensive range of products and destinations across the entire industry.
The four-day show was inaugurated by Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai. Now in its 23rd year, the 2016 edition, which takes place at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre from April 25-28, will welcome 423 main stand holders representing 86 countries, with more than 26,000 visitors expected to attend the Middle East’s longest running and largest trade event.
The region’s leading travel industry showcase witnessed a couple of announcements to promote Dubai as a tourists’ attraction. Dubai Parks and Resorts, which is set to become the Middle East’s largest integrated theme park destination on its opening in October this year, has revealed details of its Annual Pass programme.
With over 100 rides and attractions spread across three worldclass theme parks and one water park, the annual passes will provide visitors with unlimited access to ‘Experience Amazing’ and create fun-filled memories again and again, while unlocking a host of exclusive benefits and rewards.
The Dh10.5 billion development is spread across 25 million square feet of land located on Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai opposite the Palm Jebel Ali. Around 6.7 million ticketed visits are projected for 2017, the first full year of operation.
Emaar Hospitality Group also announced its expansion plan, highlighted by 35 new hotels and serviced residences to open under its three flagship brands — The Address Hotels + Resorts, Vida Hotels and Resorts and Rove Hotels — in Dubai.
Damac Properties announced that its luxury hotel and serviced residences, Damac Towers by Paramount Hotels & Resorts, located in Dubai’s Burj area, is topped out.
On the first day of the ATM, top executives announced that in addition to this project milestone, the façade work of the $1.3 billion four-tower complex is at 60 per cent completion.
The Ministry of Tourism, Oman, announced that the country plans to more than double the number of international visitors in the country over the next two decades as part of its new national 2040 Tourism Strategy.
By 2040 the country wants to attract over five million international in addition to the same-day visitors and domestic tourists, making the tourism business one of the most significant in the country generating over six per cent of annual GDP.
Dubai-based Gloria Hotels and Resorts announced a number of new hotel signings and openings for 2016, ensuring the target to become one of Middle East’s leading hospitality providers. In 2010, Gloria Hotels & Resorts set a goal to increase its portfolio of operating properties to 13. By the end of 2016 the group will have nine operational properties with an addition of six new hotels.
The ATM also witnessed the launch of the brand new ATM Global Stage, showcasing the very best industry speakers discussing a wide range of strategic issues.