Organisers of last week’s Arabian Travel Market have hailed the event a success after doubling visitor numbers on last year’s Covid-affected event.
The annual four-day trade show in Dubai, the 29th in the event’s history, welcomed more than 23,000 visitors and 1,500 exhibitors from 150 countries.
The event was inaugurated by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, president of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, chairman of Dubai Airports, chairman and chief executive of Emirates Airline and group chairman of Dubai World.
Danielle Curtis, exhibition director ME for Arabian Travel Market, said: “In addition to doubling our visitor numbers year on year, ATM 2022 hosted 1,500 exhibitors and attendees from 150 countries.
“These figures are especially impressive given that lockdowns are still taking place in China and other destinations.
“What’s more, the development of the travel and tourism sector throughout the Middle East region shows no signs of abating, with GCC hotel construction contract awards set to rise by 16% this year alone.”
This year’s ATM highlighted that UAE and Saudi Arabian projects accounted for 90% of all regional hospitality contracts awarded in 2021, according to research from BNC Network.
Colliers International has forecasted $4.5 billion worth of hotel construction contracts will be awarded in the six GCC during 2022.
In a panel session on the future of the region’s hospitality industry Tim Cordon, area senior vice president, Middle East and Africa, at Radisson Hotel Group, said:
“The organisations that get this right are going to benefit because, of course, we know how expensive it is to bring new people into our business and it’s even more expensive if you lose them.
“I don’t think you can talk about the future of hospitality without talking about the future of talent.”
Judit Toth, founder and chief executive of Vivere Hospitality, stressed the importance of educating industry professionals on the priorities and mindset of younger employees and guests.
“[The younger generation] think completely differently. They live in a world of crypto and NFTs.
“How are they going to be able to bring their ideas and talents into the [hotel] business? And remember, on the other side, your new and future customers are also coming from the same background, with the same motivations and understanding.
“So, it’s a matter of bringing in new talent that shares common ground with new customers.”
Mark Kirby, head of hospitality at Emaar Hospitality Group, said: “Emiratisation coexists with how we develop our leadership teams to operate hotels.
“We focus on leadership at this level to come from within, [drawing on] internal talent. The fact that we’re growing and opening new hotels helps us, because it provides opportunities for our existing team members to move up.”