Innovation, sustainability & human assets high Arabian Journey Market Advisory Board agenda  

Board members included Jamel Chandoul, SVP Retail ME&A, Amadeus; Gregory Fuller, Brand Activation Director, Dubai Tourism; Mark Kirby, Hospitality Manager, Hospitality from Emaar; Haitham Mattar, Managing Director, IHG; Ian Albert, CEO MENA, Colliers International; Jeff Strachan, Director, Dubai College of Tourism; Sandeep Walia, COO, Marriott International; Raki Phillips, CEO, RAKTDA; Mohamed Awadalla, CEO, TIME Hotels; Mohammad Al Hashimi, VP Commercial, Emirates; Bilal Kabbani, Sector Lead Branding, MENA Google; Marloes Knippenburg, CEO, Kerten Hospitality; and Guy Hutchinson, President and CEO of Rotana.

“During the debate on November 23, three main topics were in the foreground – innovation, attracting and retaining talent and sustainability, which will certainly appear in our seminar program next year,” adds Curtis.

On innovation, the board discussed how the pandemic had accelerated the adoption of digital and technology in general, and that companies were now more focused on innovating and leveraging third-party data to adapt to the new normal.

The examples used were the methods companies were actively using to simplify the payment process and defragment the way content is delivered to customers. In addition, the board discussed the need for investment to facilitate the travel experience and ensure customers feel safe during a smooth trip.

While members agreed that technology would never completely replace human interaction, it was imperative to offer choice. Limiting the need for physical interaction could reduce the risk of further contagion, underscoring the need to integrate all technical products for the mainstream travel sector and, wherever possible, to provide a seamless travel experience.

“The Middle East has a particularly strong track record in this area as it has leveraged cutting-edge services and technology to enable millions of luxury trips.

“Supporting industry-specific innovations and getting them to market has never been more important – both in terms of immediate recovery and longer-term sustainability,” added Curtis.

In terms of sustainability, the board discussed the positive trend towards environmentally friendly practices and how important this is, especially when targeting younger travelers. Google’s recent hotel sustainability rating has been cited as an example of responding to such a trend, but while big strides have been made, further investment, whether through private or government support, is needed.

Another key point raised was the relationship between sustainability and talent acquisition – hotel and university graduates would be far more willing to pursue careers in an environmentally conscious industry.

It was widely recognized that there was a shortage of talent in the industry. While the pandemic has hit the travel and tourism industries harder than most, few sectors have escaped its negative impact on innovators.

The board also recognized that many people had experienced another aspect of work-life balance after working from home for long periods of time, and the flexibility and convenience that comes with it. The industry would need to reconnect through platforms like ATM to better understand the expectations and aspirations of future generations entering the industry.

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About the Arab Travel Market (ATM)

The Arabian Travel Market (ATM) has been the premier international travel and tourism event in the Middle East for inbound and outbound tourism professionals since its 29th year. ATM 2021 presented over 1,300 exhibiting companies from 62 countries in nine halls in the Dubai World Trade Center with visitors from more than 140 countries over the four days. The Arabian Travel Market is part of the Arabian Travel Week. #IdeasArrivalHere

Next in-person event: Sunday 8th to Wednesday 11th May 2022, Dubai World Trade Center, Dubai https://www.wtm.com/atm/en-gb.html

The next virtual event: Tuesday 17th and Wednesday 19th May 2022

About the Arab Travel Week

Arabian Travel Week is an event festival that will take place within and adjacent to the Arabian Travel Market 2022. It offers a new focus for the Middle East travel and tourism sector and also includes ATM Virtual, ILTM Arabia, Arival Dubai, influencer events and activations as Travel Forward. It also features the ATM Buyer Forums, ATM Speed ​​Networking Events, as well as a number of Country Summits.

https://www.wtm.com/arabian-travel-week/en-gb.html

About RX (Reed Exhibitions)

RX builds businesses for individuals, communities and organizations. We enhance the power of face-to-face events by combining data and digital products to help customers learn about markets, source products, and complete transactions at over 400 events in 22 countries in 43 industry sectors. RX is passionate about making a positive impact on society and is fully committed to creating an inclusive work environment for all of our employees. RX is part of RELX, a global provider of information-based analysis and decision-making tools for professional and business customers. www.rxglobal.com

RELX About RELX

RELX is a global provider of information-based analysis and decision-making tools for professional and business customers. The group serves customers in more than 180 countries and has offices in around 40 countries. It employs over 33,000 people, nearly half of them in North America. The shares of RELX PLC, the parent company, are traded on the London, Amsterdam and New York Stock Exchanges using the following ticker symbols: London: REL; Amsterdam: REN; New York: RELX. Market cap is approximately £ 33bn, € 39bn, $ 47bn. *

* Note: You can find the current market capitalization at http://www.relx.com/investors

About the world travel market

The portfolio of the World Travel Market (WTM) comprises leading travel events, online portals and virtual platforms on four continents and generates industry deals worth more than 7.5 billion US dollars. The events are:

WTM virtual, is WTM Portfolio’s virtual platform, created to enable global delegates to arrange virtual one-on-one meetings, do business, attend conference sessions and round tables, participate in speed networking, and much more. WTM Virtual combines the world’s leading travel shows on one platform.

WTM London, the world’s leading event for the travel industry, is the must-have three-day trade show for the global travel and tourism industry. Around 50,000 high-level travel industry professionals, government ministers and international media visit ExCeL London each November and generate over £ 3.71 billion in travel industry contracts.

http://london.wtm.com/

WTM Latin Americatakes place annually in São Paulo and attracts around 19,000 tourism professionals during a three-day event. The show offers quality content as well as networking and business opportunities. In its ninth edition – the first 100% virtual – WTM Latin America followed its focus on effective business generation and reached the milestone of 4,200 meetings between buyers, travel agencies and exhibitors.