DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – AVIAREPS, the global representation leader providing international market growth opportunities to a portfolio of more than 100 airlines and 150 travel and tourism clients worldwide, prepares to launch its second Middle East 3D Virtual Travel Caravan following the success of the first one on October 21, 2020.
The 2nd edition of the non-destination specific virtual exhibition will be held on November 24, 2020, and will allow exhibitors to virtually meet outbound travel professionals and buyers from the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Lebanon, Jordan, and for the first time Israel.
The first edition of the AVIAREPS Middle East 3D Virtual Travel Caravan event saw 122 vetted and personally invited buyers, predominately from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, attend the event as unique visitors to meet the 48 exhibitors. 2,645 contacts were exchanged, over 500 virtual meetings were prescheduled and 2,537 chat conversations and meetings were held during the course of the day.
Says Glenn Johnston, Vice President Middle East and Global Public Affairs at AVIAREPS: “The first virtual exhibition event was a new experience for many within the Middle East travel industry, but it proved an overwhelming success for both exhibitors and visitors alike for creating and re-establishing essential contacts for future business development. While the focus of our 2nd edition will be the attendance of visitor buyers from the UAE, we are also extremely thrilled to have buyers from Israel join us for the very first time.”
The Royal Commission for AlUla in Saudi Arabia will be exhibiting as gold sponsor of the 2nd edition AVIAREPS Virtual Travel Caravan event. Situated in the North West of Saudi Arabia and with over 200,000 years of human history, AlUla, an open-air museum of unprecedented historical and cultural significance, was launched as a year-round destination on October 30th, 2020. With the opening of its UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Hegra, the ancient kingdom of Dadan, and the whispering canyons of Jabal Ikmah, AlUla is poised to welcome visitors from across the globe with its world-class calendar of art and cultural events, as well as phenomenal nature, heritage and adventure experiences.
Said Melanie De Souza, Executive Director, Destination Marketing at the Royal Commission for AlUla: “AlUla is a new and exciting premium destination for GCC travellers. By participating in the AVIAREPS Virtual Travel Caravan we look forward to connecting with the GCC’s leading tourism specialists given our recent just prior to our official launch on October 30, 2020. We especially look forward to discussing opportunities for long term collaborations whereby AlUla is positioned as an inspirational destination at the center of new travel product development. In fact we see AlUla’s as leading regional travel recovery. Travel agents will want to put us in their inventory as a new and exciting destination that travelers will engage with and want to visit and discover.”
The unique 3D online platform allows exhibitors such as tourism boards, hotels, tour operators and tourist attractions, to host their virtual stands and meet, interact, and conduct meetings with potential tourism partners. Despite the platform being virtual, the experience is realistic enough to provide all exhibitors and participants with an immersive and engaging experience - just as they would in an actual exhibition.
Each attendee to the exhibition will be able to create their own individualized avatar, which allows the visitor to ‘virtually’ navigate the exhibition space, with the option of reaching out to other individuals around them, as well as approaching each branded booth and stand of the exhibitors. At the stands, visitors will be able to automatically view the exhibitor’s promotional video, download their brochures, exchange business cards, as well as chat with the exhibitor, or hold a private online audio meeting, that will be either pre-scheduled or held impromptu upon reaching out to the exhibitor at the fair.
Other exhibitors confirmed for participation include: the Malta Tourism Authority, Slovenia Tourist Board, Tokyu Hotels & Resorts, Outlet City Metzingen, and more than 20 additional hotel and tour operator brands from various countries. Additional destinations are also soon to be announced.
Tags: AVIAREPS
