·
5% of destination weddings
take place in the Middle East with the UAE the most favoured location
·
EWAA tourism as well as solo
and female-led travel also set to define hospitality industry as we look ahead
to 2020 and beyond
Destination
wedding tourism as well as solo and female led travel and ecotourism, wellness,
adventure and agritourism (EWAA) are defining the hospitality industry landscape,
according to data released ahead of Arabian Travel Market 2020 (ATM),
which takes place at Dubai World Trade Centre from Sunday 19 – Wednesday 22
April 2020.
The
research by Colliers
International, ATM’s official research partner, revealed that the destination
wedding segment is worth more than US$90 billion globally, with 25% of
marriages now taking place abroad – equating to approximately 340,000
destination weddings every year.
Looking
at the Middle East specifically, the regional market is worth over US$4.5
billion, attracting 5% of the global destination weddings market. The UAE is the
most favoured location as a result of the emirate’s relaxed visa regulations,
easy connectivity, year-round sunshine, its variety of pristine beaches and
scenic mountain ranges.
Danielle Curtis,
Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said: “Destination wedding
tourism is just one of four key trends identified in the Colliers report that
will define the Middle East, and indeed, the global travel and tourism market
as well as consumer behavior, as we look ahead to 2020 and beyond.
“Overseas
weddings are now playing a key role in the overall growth of the global hospitality
industry, as more couples seek a unique as well as a personalised experience
abroad. And in addition, these weddings are also positively impacting the local
economies,” she added.
Ecotourism,
Wellness, Adventure and Agritourism (EWAA) is another notable emerging trend,
particularly among environmentally conscious consumers. According to the
Colliers data, 70% of global travellers are now more likely to book
accommodation that is eco-friendly, with 52% prepared to alter their behavior
on holiday to become more sustainable.
Today’s
travellers are more attuned to the environmental impact of tourism and are
looking for destinations that provide sustainable accommodation and experiences
such as glamping, a form of camping that combines the traditional components
with more luxurious facilities and amenities.
“Glamping
has become increasingly popular in the Middle East over recent years, mainly as
a result of the region’s varied landscapes, with various glamping sites opening
throughout the UAE, Oman and Jordan including Hatta Sedr Lodges, Hatta; Bedouin
Oasis Camp, Ras Al Khaimah; Desert Nights Camp, Oman and Wadi Rum Night Luxury
Camp, Jordan.”
Other
major predictions include an increase in the number of solo and female
travellers. Global searches for solo travel witnessed an increase of 17.4% in
2018 compared to 2017 as the idea of travelling alone has become more socially
acceptable leading to hotel and tour operators removing single supplement fees
to accommodate this growing market.
The
Colliers data indicates that 58% of millennials are more likely to travel alone
compared with 47% of baby boomers, and interestingly, 74% of lone travellers
are in fact females with social media, particularly Instagram and Pinterest the
main sources for travel inspiration for these unaccompanied trips.
Curtis
added: “Women control approximately 40% of global wealth, a factor that has
greatly contributed to more woman opting to take solo trips in recent years.
Seeking time for themselves, solo female travellers tend to select their
location based on adventure, culture, relaxation and gastronomy as well as
visiting destinations as part of voluntary programmes or to learn new skills.”
These
dynamic trends shaping the Middle East’s hospitality industry will be explored
in greater detail during ATM 2020, with a host of seminar sessions discussing
the impact these emerging trends will have on tourism growth in the region.
Tags: Arabian Travel Market 2020
