Ahmed bin Saeed Inaugurates Arabian Travel Market 2024 – Business and Travel Sector

Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2024 kicked off in grand style as 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, inaugurated the event at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) on May 6. The event, which is the leading global travel and tourism event, is set to run until May 9 and is expected to attract around 41,000 visitors from 165 countries.

This year’s edition of ATM is breaking records with 2,300 exhibitors participating, marking the largest event to date. Since its inception in 1994 with 300 exhibitors and 7,000 trade visitors, ATM has grown to become a globally renowned event that integrates all travel sectors and verticals, from MICE to leisure and luxury hospitality, to corporate travel. Exhibitor participation has increased by 26% this year, with growth recorded across all event verticals.

During the opening ceremony, Sheikh Ahmed highlighted the massive interest generated amongst ATM 2024 attendees, reaffirming Dubai’s standing as a major destination for tourism and travel in the region. He emphasized Dubai’s role in shaping the future of the industry by bringing together leaders from allied sectors around the world.

Sheikh Ahmed, accompanied by other dignitaries including His Excellency Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy, and Danielle Curtis, Director of the Arabian Travel Market in the Middle East, toured various pavilions at the exhibition. The theme for ATM 2024 is ‘Empowering Innovation: Transforming Travel Through Entrepreneurship’, focusing on visionary entrepreneurs in aviation, hotels, hospitality, and public attractions and their transformative role in the future of the sector.

The four-day conference agenda features 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 cover innovation-related content such as AI, NextGen destinations, travel technology, and future trend forecasts.

Highlights of the opening day included keynote speeches and debates on streamlining tourism within the GCC, market insights, and entrepreneurship, luxury, and sustainability summits. Day Two will delve into impactful trends in travel technology, aviation disruptions, and the future of air travel.

ATM 2024 is part of Arabian Travel Week, a ten-day festival of travel and tourism events in Dubai, including the 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 such as Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism, Emirates, IHG Hotels & Resorts, and Al Rais Travel.

For those interested in attending ATM 2024, registration details can be found on the official website. Stay updated on the latest ATM news stories by visiting the official press release page. Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News for more updates on the event.