Travel and tourism experts from across the industry gathered at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2024 Future Stage to discuss the complexities of navigating hospitality transformation.
Slow travel, a movement that encompasses sustainable travel, conscious travel and low-impact travel, sustainable practices and the use of artificial intelligence and data to improve the travel experience, emerged as key viable strategies to prepare the future of travel companies and hospitality in the Middle East region.
The opening session, titled Trends Shaping the Future of Hospitality in the Middle East, brought together senior representatives from IHG Hotels and Resorts, Marriott International, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Banyan Tree Dubai, Mastercard and Silkhaus. The diverse panel provided a broad perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing today's hospitality industry.
Haitham Mattar, Managing Director Middle East, Africa and Southwest Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts, kicked off the hotel trends session with an in-depth discussion on the dynamic transformation within the hotel landscape.
Addressing a venue full of trade professionals, Mattar highlighted the importance of how destinations and hotels identify their respective home markets: “The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way generations choose to travel, and outdoor adventure Libre is now taking the number one spot from “beach, sun and sand.” For the industry to stay afloat in difficult times, the private sector must reflect the vision of their respective tourism authorities and work together to ensure attractive spending packages for those markets.”
He also described how generational shifts and emerging travel behaviors are giving rise to global travel trends such as slow travel and, similarly, with the hospitality industry responsible for 10% of global emissions, consumers are now willing to spend up to 31% more in hotel companies. that implement sustainable practices.
Finally, he highlighted how innovation in the hotel sector is accelerating the pace of digitalization. “The future use of technology and AI will be essential so that we can have a clear idea of how to improve consumer preferences. In particular, travel anxiety is starting to reduce with technology, and the focus should now be firmly on traveler experiences,” she added.
Also speaking about the transformative needs of the market, Sandeep Walia, COO Middle East - Marriott International, echoed Mattar's sentiments by highlighting slow vacations, sustainability, rise of AI and gimmicky destinations, similar to traditional but geographically closer vacation destinations, as some of the key travel trends for the next three years, according to the “Marriott Bonvoy Travel Trends Report 2024 and Beyond.”
“The ideas shared today go beyond theories and offer direct reflections of the transformations we aim to foster through ATM. As we continue to drive innovation and entrepreneurship within the travel industry, sessions like these equip our attendees with the knowledge and tools necessary to lead the hospitality industry,” said Danielle Curtis, ME Exhibition Director, Arabian Travel. Market.
The 31st edition of ATM, under the theme 'Powering Innovation: Transforming Travel through Entrepreneurship', also hosted the fascinating session Global Stage Welcome: The Gateway to Global Insights, which outlines Dubai's key tourism objectives for the next years.
Elsewhere today, the Market Insights Summit also took center stage, exploring the potential of developing markets such as China, India and Latin America as they emerge as key players in global tourism.
Held in conjunction with Dubai World Trade Centre, ATM 2024 strategic partners include Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), Destination Partner; Emirates, official airline partner; IHG Hotels & Resorts, official hotel partner and Al Rais Travel, official partner of DMC.
ATM 2024 concludes on Thursday, May 9 at the Dubai World Trade Center (DWTC).
Source: WTM Global Hub.