ATM 2021: Prime journey and tourism gamers convene in Dubai to map way forward for trade

Global aviation and tourism players are gathering in Dubai’s Arab travel market this week to showcase the industry’s recovery from the pandemic, highlight the latest technologies for the future of travel, and discuss sustainability initiatives.

Air traffic is only recovering sporadically around the world as vaccination campaigns are progressing unevenly and governments tighten border rules to contain the flare-up of the Covid-19 virus.

A faster recovery in travel depends on a swift distribution of vaccines, key markets reopening their borders to international travelers, investments in digital technologies, affordable PCR testing, and greener operations, analysts say.

“Successful rollout of the vaccination program coupled with adaptability and speed is critical to resurrecting the aviation and tourism industries with long-term competitive advantage,” said Linus Bauer, founder and managing director of Bauer Aviation Advisory. “The Gulf region, especially the UAE, is in pole position to become one of the first economies to resume travel compared to other regions.”

Top industry leaders, ministers, airline executives and hoteliers will meet at the ATM on May 16 organizer say is the world’s first personal travel and tourism event since the outbreak of the pandemic.

The four-day tour event comes at a crucial time as the global aviation and tourism industries grapple with the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic that has devastated demand.

The International Air Transport Association (Iata) has increased its estimate of global airline losses for 2021 by a quarter as virus variants and slower vaccination in some regions have pushed back travel restarting. after his outlook in April.

Airlines are projected to lose $ 47.7 billion in 2021, compared to the December forecast of $ 38 billion, but 62 percent less than the $ 126.4 billion lost last year.

“Middle Eastern airlines are benefiting from widespread vaccination in key home markets, but are suffering from a slow opening of long-haul international markets linked through the golf hubs,” said Iata.

The region’s airlines are projected to lose $ 4.2 billion in 2021, up from $ 7.9 billion in 2020, making it the third smallest regional loss.

Domestic travel is currently spearheading the recovery as international travel continues to lag behind.

“For regions like the Gulf like Europe, which rely heavily on international markets, this will clearly be a slower path to recovery, but we know that the restraints on recovery are the travel restrictions. So it is important that governments in are able to lower them. ” as soon as the vaccination and testing regime allows, “said Brian Pearce, Iata’s chief economist, at a May 4 briefing.

Held under the theme “A New Beginning for Travel and Tourism”, the ATM will focus on the current state of the industry, advances in vaccine engines and future trends.

Government officials and company executives will discuss how the pandemic changed the industry and how people fly.

There is a great shock ahead of us that will affect every aspect of travel once the restrictions on movement are lifted. Covid insurance, digital health passes, fewer routes, cabin reconfigurations, higher tariffs and pre-departure PCR tests are among the pandemic-related changes heralding a new era of travel.

“The upcoming ATM in Dubai has arrived at exactly the right time when the industry urgently needs an open forum to work together and find a clear path to a sustainable future,” said Bauer. “The importance of aviation and tourism for economic diversification and prosperity in this region cannot be underestimated. “

Doing business in Dubai’s non-oil private sector rose in April to its highest level since November 2019, driven by a rebound in the crucial travel and tourism sector and a rapid vaccination program.

IHS Markit Dubai’s seasonally adjusted purchasing managers’ index rose from 51.0 in March to 53.5 in April, staying above the 50 mark that separates growth from contraction and signals solid expansion in the private sector non-oil economy.

“Travel and tourism companies saw the most notable gains in performance as hopes of tourism activity increased during the year, compounded by the rapid adoption of vaccines,” said David Owen, chief economist at IHS Markit.

UAE Airlines Chiefs Emirates, Etihad Airways and Air Arabia have signaled their optimism about a revival of air traffic during the midsummer season due to rapid vaccination campaigns.

Hotels in the UAE were the second largest in the world to China in 2020 due to government efforts to contain the spread of the Covid-19 virus, boost domestic tourism and take measures to accelerate the sector’s recovery. The country hosted 14.8 million guests who spent an average of 3.7 nights in 1,089 facilities last year, which corresponds to a hotel occupancy rate of 54.7 percent, according to the World Tourism Organization and the Emirates Tourism Council.

Dubai is “very optimistic” about attracting business and leisure travelers to the back of the World’s Fair, which takes place in October this year. However, the pandemic makes it difficult to predict the number of overseas visitors, Issam Kazim, Dubai Tourism Managing Director said.

More than 62 countries will attend the ATM exhibition including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Germany, Italy, Greece, Cyprus, Thailand, Indonesia, South Korea, Philippines, Malaysia, Maldives and Israel.

“This underscores the importance of ATMs that connect destinations to their source markets,” said Danielle Curtis, Middle East Exhibition Director at the Arabian Travel Market.

The 28th edition of the event will be held at the Dubai World Trade Center with a capacity of 11,000 people in the halls at one time.