The Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2023, now in its 30th edition, is set to commence on May 1 and will run for four days at the Dubai World Trade Centre. The travel and tourism industry is working aggressively towards achieving a net-zero target by 2030, and this year’s event is expected to focus on the theme of sustainability. Over 2,000 exhibitors from more than 150 countries are anticipated to participate, with an expected attendance of 34,000 visitors. The exhibition director for Middle East, Arabian Travel Market, Danielle Curtis, stated that this year’s focus is on net zero and that ATM 2023 presents an ideal opportunity to showcase innovations that will expedite the industry’s journey towards decarbonization. The event will feature a Sustainability Hub for the first time in its history, dedicated to showcasing the latest sustainable travel trends and innovations.
As part of the sustainability focus, a dedicated sustainability pledge will be unveiled on the event’s 30th anniversary, reinforcing the commitment to deliver sustainable events to reach net zero by 2030. To achieve this, the event will reduce print, use sustainable and environment-friendly materials, and recycled materials, and there will be no single-use plastic at the venue this year. The organizers have also implemented a food waste program and other initiatives.
The CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, Issam Kazim, stated that ATM’s sustainability theme comes during a landmark year when the UAE celebrates 2023 as a “Year of Sustainability,” and Dubai hosts COP28. Dubai has made significant strides in sustainability in tourism initiatives, aiming to reduce the carbon footprint and create a more responsible and inclusive industry.
The exhibition will also feature the inaugural “ATM Sustainable Stand Award,” and the winner will be announced on the last day of the expo. Experts will offer insights into sustainable travel trends, responsible tourism, and a host of other industry-critical issues during panel discussions. There will be a ministerial debate on how travel can tackle the climate crisis, with policymakers taking to the ATM Global Stage. The panellists will include Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy; Makram Mustafa Abdul Karim Al-Qaisi, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Jordan; Minister of Tourism; and Walid Nassar, Minister of Tourism, Lebanon, who will discuss the industry’s role in achieving net-zero.
In addition to sustainability, panel discussions will be hosted on AI, the metaverse, cryptocurrency, and big data and their impact on the travel and tourism industry. The Chinese exhibitors and travel professionals will return to the ATM this year after the country lifted travel restrictions earlier this year. Southeast Asia and India will also feature prominently at this year’s event, and Saudi Arabia, which registered more international arrivals than any other Arab nation during the first nine months of last year, will have a considerable presence at ATM 2023.
