· One in 10 global travellers stayed
in a luxury eco-friendly hotel in last three years
· 61% of UAE residents willing to pay more for sustainable travel experiences
· Luxury travel event ILTM
Arabia to run during days two and three of ATM 2023
Dubai,
United Arab Emirates, 11 April 2023: Sustainability
is becoming an increasingly important consideration within the Middle East’s
luxury travel sector, especially in the UAE where 61% of residents say they are
willing
to pay a premium for more responsible, eco-friendly and sustainable tourism
experiences. Trends and opportunities within the high-end travel segment will represent
key focuses throughout the 30th edition of Arabian Travel Market (ATM),
which will run from 1-4 May 2023 at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).
According
to YouGov’s Global Travel & Tourism Whitepaper 2023: Luxury travel
post-pandemic, one in 10 consumers has stayed in luxury eco-friendly
accommodation during the past three years. This trend is especially prevalent
among high-income travellers, whose sustainable luxury hotel stays have increased
by 50% during the same period.
The
UAE topped global rankings in terms of the value placed on exploring, with
almost two-thirds (58%) of respondents reporting that travel has become more
important to them since the Covid-19 pandemic. In terms of luxury travel
priorities, a quarter of those living in the Emirates are looking for great
entertainment, whereas 19% place the biggest emphasis on premium-quality
accommodation when booking trips.
Danielle
Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel
Market, said: “The Middle East has developed an unparalleled international
reputation for luxury tourism, with consumers across the region placing a high
value on bespoke, memorable and environmentally responsible experiences. This
is especially pertinent given ATM 2023’s theme, ‘Working Towards Net Zero’.
Industry leaders will be showcasing the innovative ways in which they are
delivering luxury, sustainable travel experiences across the Gulf and beyond.”
In
addition to sustainable luxury travel, consumers’ appetite for authentic
excursions is also on the rise within this segment. Over half (51%) of affluent
tourists have sought more meaningful travel experiences since the pandemic, and
more than a quarter (27%) are willing to pay extra for secluded villas and
chalets. These figures coincide with growth across the Gulf’s travel industry.
By 2028, the value of the UAE’s outbound sector is set to reach $30.5 billion,
Saudi Arabia is on course to hit $27 billion, Kuwait is expected to grow to $17
billion, and Qatar is likely to exceed $13 billion.
Premium
travel will be placed under the microscope at ATM 2023, as high-profile names
from across the sector gather in Dubai to discuss luxury-related trends,
challenges and opportunities during the session entitled, Sustainable
Luxury: At What Cost?. Moderated by Joe Mortimer, Editor-at-Large at
Destinations of the World News, speakers including Amir Golbarg, Senior Vice
President Operations – Middle East & Africa at Minor Hotels; Candice
D’Cruz, VP Luxury Brands at Marriott International; and Nadia Ibrahim, Member
of the Board of Directors at the UN Global Compact, will discuss a range of industry-critical
topics, such as the environmental impact of luxury hospitality and the most
effective methods of carbon offsetting.
ATM
2023 will also see the return of International Luxury Travel
Market (ILTM) Arabia 2023, a luxury-focused event dedicated to
high-end destinations, premium accommodation and bespoke tourism experiences, which
will run on days two and three of the show. The upcoming edition of ILTM Arabia
will deliver extensive networking and knowledge-sharing opportunities to
participants, as 44 exhibitors engage with a select group of buyers catering to
high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) across the GCC and broader region.
ATM 2023 will feature an array of exclusive brands from the Middle East’s luxury hospitality segment, including Kerzner International’s Atlantis The Palm and Atlantis The Royal; Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts’ Burj Al Arab; Caesars Palace Dubai; Emaar Hospitality Group; and more. The ILTM Lounge will also host a range of international luxury exhibitors, such as Japan’s Hotel New Otani Tokyo Executive House ZEN; Adaaran Resorts Maldives; Switzerland’s Red Carnation Hotel Collection; France’s Airelles; and The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach in the United States, among others.
The
30th edition of ATM will explore the future of sustainable travel in
line with its theme, ‘Working Towards Net Zero’. Having officially
initiated its journey to net zero, the conference programme will explore how
innovative sustainable travel trends are likely to evolve, allowing delegates to
identify growth strategies within key vertical sectors, while providing a
platform for regional experts to explore a sustainable future ahead of COP28,
which will take place in November 2023 at Expo City Dubai.
The conference will also
feature a sustainability
category at its annual exhibitor awards for the first time.
Exhibiting organisations will be recognised based on the extent to which they
have considered the environmental impact of their stands, as well as their
efforts to reduce their carbon footprint.
ATM 2023 is held in
conjunction with Dubai World Trade Centre and its strategic partners include
Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) as the Destination Partner,
Emirates as the Official Airline Partner, IHG Hotels & Resorts as the Official Hotel Partner and Al Rais
Travel as the Official DMC Partner.
The
latest ATM news stories are available at https://hub.wtm.com/category/press/atm-press-releases/.
