Arabian Travel Market expects 2,000 exhibitors and 34,000 attendees in Dubai

DUBAI- Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2023 will be held in Dubai from May 1 to May 4, welcoming over 34,000 participants from 150 countries, including more than 2,000 exhibitors.

The 30th edition of the conference, to be hosted by the Dubai World Trade Centre and in collaboration with the Department of Economy and Tourism, aims to highlight the theme of “Working Towards Net Zero” and will provide a forum for forging new connections and showcasing innovations that will drive the global travel sector’s journey towards decarbonisation.

ATM 2023 will feature public and private sector speakers who will offer insights into sustainable travel trends, responsible tourism, and other industry-critical issues. Among the topics to be discussed will be how the travel industry can tackle the climate crisis.

Exhibitor participation at the event has risen by 27% compared to last year’s event, with all show sectors showing growth. The Middle East will have a 24% increase in representation, while Europe, Asia, and Africa are up 17%, 15%, and 8.5%, respectively. The event’s Travel Tech and hotels sectors will also see significant year-on-year growth, expanding by 62% and 37.5%, respectively.

China, the world’s top source market, is making a comeback at ATM 2023 after lifting its Covid-19 related travel restrictions earlier this year. CNN predicts the country’s outbound market will recover to around six million travellers per month by the summer of 2023. Saudi Arabia will have a considerable presence at the event as well, registering the most international arrivals in the Arab world in the first nine months of last year, welcoming more than 18 million visitors during this period, according to government data.

To mark its 30th edition, ATM 2023 will be unveiling a dedicated sustainability pledge that has been designed to reinforce the commitment to the delivery of sustainable events through the use of environmentally friendly materials, the elimination of single-use plastics, and other initiatives. The event will also feature the inaugural ‘ATM Sustainable Stand Award,’ which will be announced as part of the ATM 2023 Best Stand Awards.

Dubai’s hosting of COP28, the UN Climate Change Conference, is significant, as the UAE’s 2023 theme is sustainability, and Dubai aims to become the best city in the world to visit, live and work in. The city has made significant strides in reducing its carbon footprint and creating a more environmentally conscious tourism industry in line with the leadership’s ambition.