· ATM to debut consumer
event which will offer attractive travel and tourism discounts and deals
exclusively for visitors on the day
· Travellers from the UAE, Saudi Arabia and
Kuwait are among the world’s top spenders when they travel aboard, according to
study
Reed Travel Exhibitions, organiser of the annual Arabian
Travel Market (ATM) showcase in
Dubai, which will take place at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 28 April – 1
May 2019, has announced that it will host its first consumer day – ATM
Holiday Shopper - as part of its
line-up of special focus events.
Taking place on Saturday 27th April – the day before
the official opening of ATM – the event will showcase over 30 travel and
hospitality exhibitors from both regional and international destinations who
will be offering a wide range of attractive travel and tourism discounts and
deals for consumers attending the show.
Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel
Market, said: “In direct response to industry
feedback and consumer demand, we are proud to introduce a new and exclusive
consumer event to ATM 2019. Whether simply looking for a deal on the Eid break
or planning a long-haul getaway, ATM Holiday Shopper is designed to offer the
very best discounts and deals. Talking to the experts face to face will also allow
attendees to learn about a range of emerging and unexplored destinations and
activities from destinations around the world.”
Travellers today do not want to be part of the crowd – they crave
new destinations to explore which offer unique experiences, personalised to
their tastes and expectations, according to research published by Colliers
International.
Adding to this, a study by digital payment firm Visa revealed residents
in the UAE are among the world’s top spenders when they travel abroad, with an
average spend of around US$2,722 (AED10,000) during their last international
trip.
The research by Visa on spending for future trips, including the
booking stage as well as expenditure at their chosen destination, revealed residents
from Saudi Arabia came out on top with a predicted average spend of US$4,800
(AED 17,600) on their next trip. Kuwait also featured in the top spenders, with
a projected average spend of US$3,474 (AED 12,760), while travellers from the
UAE plan to spend US$3,430 (AED 12,600) – more than the global median which is
estimated at US$2,443 (AED 8,975).
“We are increasingly seeing the majority of outbound travel from
the GCC countries taking place during summer as travellers actively seek cooler
climates. European countries as well as destinations such as Georgia, Serbia,
Azerbaijan and Thailand have been cited as some of the most popular destinations
for UAE residents,” Curtis said.
“What we are seeing today, is a focus on great deals, however, it
is important to note that GCC travellers are unlikely to compromise on the
quality of the offering or the activities catering for both children and
adults.”
While international travel will be a key focus, ATM Holiday
Shopper will also offer a range of discounts and deals from within the UAE and
of course the wider GCC region – with a number of hotels, leisure and cultural
activities, spas and F&B outlets within Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the Northern
Emirates as well as Oman and Saudi Arabia scheduled to exhibit.
The event will also feature a number of talks and presentations
designed to provide travellers with an in-depth knowledge on a range of travel
destinations and tour packages that cover all major attractions within any one
country - as well as information on visa compliance and travel insurance.
Attendees can immerse themselves in faraway cultures with VR
activations and enjoy a range of family entertainment throughout the day
including cultural displays, theme park characters to meet, calligraphy, henna
and falconry amongst many other activities.
Curtis, added: “ATM Holiday Shopper is a great addition to ATM 2019
and we look forward to welcoming consumers with a range of attractive discounts
and incentives as well as providing a complete overview of some of the world’s
leading travel destinations to further whet the appetite!”
ATM
– considered by industry professionals as a barometer for the Middle East and
North Africa tourism sector, welcomed over 39,000 people to its 2018 event,
showcasing the largest exhibition in the history of the show, with hotels
comprising 20% of the floor area.
ATM
2019 will build on the success of this year’s edition with a host of seminar
sessions discussing the ongoing unprecedented digital disruption, and the
emergence of innovative technologies that will fundamentally alter the way in
which the hospitality industry operates in the region.
ATM Holiday Shopper will take
place from noon – 8pm in Hall 1 of Dubai World Trade Centre on 27 April 2019.
Tickets are priced at AED 50 per person with free entry for children under the
age of 12.