·
Global research authority,
Arival, to present exclusive insights and underscore the impact of COVID-19 on
the tours, activities, and attractions sector
·
OTAs and Distribution for
Tours and Attractions Post-COVID session
to highlight the changes in travel’s third largest and fastest
growing sector
·
ATM Virtual will take place from
1-3 June 2020
Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 20 May 2020: Arabian Travel Market, organisers
of ATM Virtual, will address the changes to the tourism industry amid the rise
of online travel agencies (OTAs), the re-opening of operations post COVID-19
and its impact on tour and attraction operators across the Middle East.
The session, OTAs
and Distribution for Tours and Attractions Post-COVID, which
will take place on the opening day of ATM Virtual on Monday, 1st
June, 4 pm – 5 pm GST (1 pm – 2 pm BST), will be hosted by Douglas Quinby,
co-founder and CEO of Arival,
the global research authority on the tours, activities and attractions sector.
Quinby will present exclusive new insights into
the tours and attractions sector, which according to Arival represented US$254
billion in 2019, while outlining the impact COVID-19 has had on the industry
and a global outlook.
Representatives from some of the UAE's leading
attractions and tour operators will join Quinby during the session. These
include Zeina
Dagher, CEO, Emaar Entertainment, and Samir
Mehta, General Manager, Arabian Adventures. Rounding out the panel
are distribution and technology innovators Alaa
Alkhatib, Managing Director, priohub, and Mathis
Boldt, VP Global Sales and Supply, GetYourGuide.
Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian
Travel Market, said: "Tours, activities, and attractions are an integral
element of the travel and tourism industry and are currently the third largest
and fastest growing sector. They are, however, challenged by new technologies
and innovations, and now, more than ever, businesses need the support to adapt
to the new demands from travellers at a local and global level.”
Douglas Quinby, Co-Founder
and CEO, Arival, added: “Digital, distribution and venture-backed online
platforms have been ushering in a dramatic change, from how travellers plan and
book, to how operators and distributors connect. This session will explore what
this will look like post-COVID-19 and how this important sector of the tourism
industry can prepare for the recovery phase.”
The debut ATM Virtual will feature a
comprehensive schedule of webinars, live conference sessions, roundtables,
speed networking events, and one-to-one meetings, as well as facilitating new
connections and offering a wide range of online business opportunities.
The event, which underscores ATM’s commitment to delivering positive business and
networking opportunities to the region’s vast travel and tourism community,
will focus on emerging trends, opportunities, and the challenges which are
directly impacting the tourism industry amid the COVID-19 global health
pandemic.
Arabian Travel Market would like to thank the
Saudi Ministry of Tourism and the Italian Tourist Board for their support of
ATM Virtual as Gold Sponsors.
ATM Virtual
takes place from Monday 1st to Wednesday 3rd June 2020.
To register for the event as a visitor, please log on to: atmvirtual.eventnetworking.com/register/
