Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA), Chairman of Dubai Airports, and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, officially kicked off the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2024.
The esteemed event, held at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) from May 6 to 9, is breaking records with 2,300 exhibitors from 165 countries and an anticipated 41,000 attendees, according to a statement issued by the Dubai government.
This year’s edition of ATM is its largest yet. From its humble beginnings in 1994 with 300 exhibitors and 7,000 trade visitors, ATM has evolved into a globally recognised platform encompassing all facets of the travel industry, from MICE to leisure and luxury hospitality, and corporate travel. Exhibitor participation has surged by 26% this year, with growth evident across all event verticals.
During the inauguration, Sheikh Ahmed emphasised the immense interest generated among ATM 2024 participants, reaffirming Dubai’s stature as a premier tourism and travel destination in the region. He highlighted Dubai’s pivotal role in shaping the industry’s future by uniting leaders from allied sectors worldwide.
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Sheikh Ahmed embarked on a tour of the various pavilions at the exhibition, accompanied by dignitaries including His Excellency Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy, and His Excellency Hilal Saeed Al Marri, Director General of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, among others.
ATM 2024 is centered around the theme ‘Empowering Innovation: Transforming Travel Through Entrepreneurship’, spotlighting visionary entrepreneurs in aviation, hotels, hospitality, and public attractions and their pivotal role in shaping the sector’s future.
The four-day conference agenda boasts 200 speakers across more than 50 sessions on two main stages – the Global Stage and the new Future Stage. The Global Stage will host daily summits exploring entrepreneurship, developing markets, sustainability, and luxury, while the Future Stage will feature innovation-related content covering AI, NextGen destinations, travel technology, and future trend forecasts.
The opening day of ATM 2024 featured 12 sessions across the Global and Future stages, including keynote speeches and debates. Looking ahead, day two of the event will delve into impactful trends in travel technology and explore how technology is disrupting aviation. ATM Travel Tech will continue through May 7, showcasing innovative technologies driving the travel and hospitality sector.
ATM 2024 is part of Arabian Travel Week, a ten-day festival of travel and tourism events in Dubai, featuring ATM Start-up competition, ATM Travel Tech, GBTA Business Travel Forums, and Buyer Networking. The event is held in conjunction with Dubai World Trade Centre and strategic partners including Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), Emirates, IHG Hotels & Resorts, and Al Rais Travel.
