·
· UAE set for 12% year-on-year increase
in hotel demand as impact of Expo 2020
Dubai and overspill from FIFA
World Cup Qatar 2022 take effect
· Upticks forecast across most MENA markets next year, with occupancy rates on course to achieve 70% or higher in Dubai, RAK, Cairo, Alexandria and Doha
· Continued government support
for tourism and travel expected to play major role in ongoing post-pandemic
recovery of region’s hotel sector
Hotel demand across the
majority of Middle East and North Africa (MENA) markets is expected to achieve
parity with 2019 levels of performance in 2022, according to the latest
industry forecast from Colliers International, commissioned by RX (Reed
Exhibitions), the organiser of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2022.
With year-on-year upticks anticipated
across most MENA markets, the report spells excellent news for panelists and
attendees at next year’s ATM Hotel Industry Summit, which will take place
during ATM at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) from 8-11 May 2022.
Several regional markets are
set to achieve hotel occupancy rates of 70% or above in 2022, including Dubai
(Dubai Creek and Festival City: 76% | Sheikh Zayed Road: 74% | Palm Jumeirah:
78% | Dubai Marina and JBR: 80%); Ras Al Khaimah (70%); Cairo (70%); Alexandria
(70%); and Doha (72%).
While corporate demand,
including meetings, incentives, conferences and events (MICE), bolstered the
MENA hotel industry’s initial post-pandemic recovery, the Colliers report notes
that the region’s domestic and leisure segments are likely to take on an
increasingly important role in 2022, amid ongoing changes in operational
practices for global business travel.
In addition, the researchers
predict that mega-events, such as Expo 2020 Dubai and FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022,
will not only drive a major influx in demand for their hosts, but are also likely
to deliver a beneficial ‘halo effect’ for surrounding markets.
Back by popular demand, the ATM Hotel Industry Summit will provide a valuable opportunity for leading figures from across the industry to share their expert perspectives on the latest trends. The MENA hotel sector will represent a key focus at the upcoming ATM, which will take place at DWTC from 8-11 May 2022.
Danielle Curtis, Exhibition
Director ME – Arabian Travel Market, said: “ATM 2021 proved a major drawcard,
despite the many challenges posed by Covid-19. We welcomed 28 main stand
holders, including key global and regional hotel brands. Shared stands hosted
390 companies from the hotel sector, most of which fell under the ‘destination’
umbrella, and 45% of our exhibitors specialised in accommodation products.
“With the MENA travel and
tourism sector’s recovery now in full swing, we expect ATM 2022 to be even
busier. A range of big hitters from the hotel sector have already confirmed
they will be attending, including Jumeirah International; Atlantis, The Palm;
Marriott Hotels International; J A Resorts & Hotels; Steinberger Hotels;
Minor Hotel Group; Best Weston International; and many more. And there’s still
six months to go until the main event.”
The Colliers research notes
that consistent government backing for tourism and travel throughout the
pandemic has been – and will continue to represent – a key factor in the
sector’s recovery. Domestic-focused initiatives, which supported regional
hotels during heightened travel restrictions, are expected to result in ongoing
improvements for markets such as Ras Al Khaimah, UAE and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Hotel performance in the UAE
and Qatar, meanwhile, is expected to receive a further boost from mega events.
Expo 2020 Dubai is likely to have a positive impact on all markets in the
Emirates, while next year’s FIFA World Cup is predicted to act as a major
driver in Q4 2022 – not only for Qatar but also in terms of overspill demand
within key transit hubs such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Overall, the UAE’s hotel
sector is predicted to witness a 12% year-on-year uptick in 2022, while Qatar’s
capital city, Doha, is likely to exceed 2019 levels of hotel demand both this
year and next.
“The predictions set out in
Colliers International’s latest forecast are not only extremely encouraging,
but they are also in keeping with the expectations of many other industry
experts,” added Curtis. “We anticipate that the sector will continue to gain
momentum and find itself in an even stronger position by the time of the show,
which is why we cannot wait to welcome delegates and attendees for some
insightful discussions and lively debate at the ATM Hotel Industry Summit.”
Delegates will debate a range
of pressing industry issues, such as how tourists’ priorities are shifting and
the ways in which the sector can continue to rebuild and innovate within a
post-pandemic landscape.
The summit will take place on
ATM’s Global Stage, reflecting the importance of the hotel sector to both the
travel and tourism industry and the MENA region’s wider economy. The event will
comprise two sessions, both of which will be moderated by industry experts from
Colliers International and hosted in collaboration with ATM 2022’s Official
Hotel Partner, Emaar Hospitality.
The first session will
explore the future of the MENA region’s hotel industry, tackling issues such as
the sector’s trajectory, likely tourism hotspots, and the potential to bring novel
hospitality concepts to fruition.
The second session will
discuss the perennial question of what guests really want. From experiential
and eco-conscious stays with a local edge and wellness experiences that go
beyond spas, to loyalty programmes and apps that meet new lifestyle demands, panelists
will consider the evolving priorities and motivations of guests in 2022 and
beyond.
Now in its 29th year and
working in collaboration with the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) and Dubai’s
Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), ATM show highlights in
2022 will include, among others, destination summits focused on the key source
markets of Saudi Arabia, Russia, China and India.
Travel Forward, the leading
global event for travel technology, will shine a spotlight on next-generation innovations
for tourism and hospitality, ATM buyer forums and speed networking events, as
well as ARIVAL Dubai @ ATM. Through a series of webinars, this dedicated forum
covers current and future trends for tour operators and attractions, with a
focus on growing business through marketing, technology, distribution, thought
leadership and executive-level connections.
ATM 2022 will also host
dedicated conference summits on its Global Stage, covering aviation, hotels,
sports tourism, retail tourism and a special hospitality investment seminar.
The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), the world’s premier business
travel and meetings trade organisation, will once again be participating at
ATM. The GBTA will deliver the latest business travel content, research and
education to help drive the recovery and support growth in business travel.
ATM will play an integral
role in Arabian Travel Week, a festival of events dedicated to enabling travel
professionals from all over world to collaborate and shape the recovery of the
Middle East travel industry, through exhibitions, conferences, breakfast
briefings, awards, product launches and networking events.
The UAE remains one of the
most Covid-secure countries on the planet, with consistently low case rates and
robust measures in place to ensure the safety of tourists at every stage of
their visit, from arrival to departure. Like its neighbouring emirates, Dubai
is committed to maintaining the highest standards of hygiene and safety. Its
management of the pandemic has been endorsed by the World Travel and Tourism
Council (WTTC), which has awarded the city a ‘Safe Travels’ stamp.
If you’d like to learn more
about ATM, visit wtm.com/atm/en-gb.html.
