TravTalk Middle East Online Magazine
Over 2,100 one-on-one meetings, 1,500 visitors with 35+ exhibitors concluded the second edition of the most unique virtual event in the region, the GTS 2021, two days of networking with an overwhelming response spearheading the recovery of the industry in the region.
Manoharan Periasamy, Senior Director of International, Promotion Asia & Africa Division, Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board
Tourism Malaysia was the diamond partner for the event which hosted travel agents, tour operators, tourism boards, airlines, hotels, travel management companies, international agencies and media. “Due to the positive feedback received from the travel trade at the first Gulf Travel Show in November, we pledged our support as diamond partner. It was a great opportunity to be with the industry players from Middle East and India as they are two of the key source markets.”
Shahrin Mokhtar, Director of Tourism Malaysia – Dubai
Tourism Malaysia was the diamond partner for the event which hosted travel agents, tour operators, tourism boards, airlines, hotels, travel management companies, international agencies and media. “We have been keeping the Middle East agents engaged by conducting a specialized training programme to learn more about the destination and its offerings, our participation in the Gulf Travel Show for the second consecutive time renewed partnerships and created new ones. We will participate at the ATM both physically and virtually. ur participation at the Gulf Travel Show is very important as our partners are provided the opportunity to meet buyers from the Middle East and India and see what kind of new packages need to be designed in keeping with their client’s needs and sell them when the borders open.
Putra Hilmy Elias, Director – Tourism Malaysia-Jeddah
Gulf Travel Show enabled us to be together with colleagues from India and the Emirates in marketing and profiling Malaysia as the foremost destination to friends from travel fraternity in our respective markets. This show has also enabled the Malaysian state authorities, destination management companies and hoteliers to showcase their products and services.
Razaidi Abd Rahim, Director of Tourism Malaysia, Chennai
Two whole days of networking at the Virtual Gulf Travel Show 2021 was simply great as we reconnected with our potential buyers in our effort to rebound the Malaysian travel industry post pandemic era. This new norm virtual platform has given utterly brilliant opportunity for Malaysia as a post covid preferred destination as and when the international border open.
Yap Sook ling, Managing Director – Asian Overland
Key segments we promoted in the Gulf region includes Leisure Holidays & Special Interest Holidays especially eco-tourism in Malaysia. The show provided us an opportunity to explain to our business partners about the situation of the border openings, safety & health protocols in hotels, transportation during tours and places of interest like theme parks.
Faizal Iskandar Ghazali, Director of Sales, Sunway City Kuala Lumpur Hotels
Most Middle east travel operators enquired when Malaysia will open its air borders, as they would like to include Malaysia in their features, package and tariff, but this all depends on when Malaysia open its border, they willing to follow any health and safety regulations imposed by the government.
Tan Wei Kim, Assistant Director of Sales PARKROYAL Penang Resort
Most of buyers hope for an immediate opening of international border as most of their guests are eager to travel. The main concern is about the safety and health in each country especially on how the country curb and control the pandemic. Besides that, they also hope that all countries recognize vaccination passport.
Colour Tan Hong Qin, Sales Executive, Casa del Rio Melaka, Malaysia
We were able to meet and share Hotel’s information directly to the potential buyers. One of the main concern was when the borders will reopen in Malaysia. Overall, it was a great experience to virtually connect with potential buyers and understand their concerns & challenges. Besides, the potential buyers are interested on the destinations from Kuala Lumpur to Melaka. .
Pravin Kanna, Sales & Catering Executive, Casa del Rio Melaka, Malaysia
It was a very interesting experience as we got to meet buyers from Middle East and India. Most of them were interested to know more about Melaka as some were not very familiar with the area. We managed to share brochures and all material for them to learn more about the city and our property in this historically enriched city.
Yunus Sampeh, Sales Manager, Borneo Trails Tours and Travel
Wow, this is actually beginning of the COVID-19, the pandemic system of doing business, well for this time, it was so good to meet virtually buyers from the Middle East. Everybody wanted to visit Malaysia once the border is open. They said people are eager to travel either individually, with their family or maybe couples but worried travelling in groups.
Eric Chee, Assistant Sales Manager – Lexis Hotels and Resorts
We actually accepted appointments prior to the event and all of them came in so it was quite successful, as we were able to get a few potential clients for our properties. Some of them had not heard of us yet. But this was a good channel for us to actually promote and advertise our property in this very big market in the Middle East.
Faireen Ramli, Assistant Sales Manager – Lotus Desaru Beach Resort and Spa
During the Gulf travel show there were many travel agents from Middle East and India who came to our booth and requested information about our resorts. They were very keen to know more about our properties and we are very keen to wait for them after the borders open to come into our resort for future bookings.
Carla Puverel, General Manager, Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
We were delighted to be part of the Gulf Travel Show and I think it gave us a great platform to gain the exposure and connection we need in the region. We were thrilled to receive lots of interest from the attendees and to make meaningful connections with a lot of new travel agents.
Beverly Au Yong, Area Director, Singapore Tourism Board, Middle East
The show brought together experts from the travel industry, travel trade partners and attendees from across the region with whom we got an opportunity to share latest updates from Singapore. They hosted a plethora of interesting panel discussions where we also participated along with the stalwarts of the travel industry.
Nasir Jamal Khan, CEO, Al Naboodah Travel
Gulf Travel Show is the best platform to receive and share the latest industry updates. People should hear what we are doing in the UAE and how we have become one of the best or one of the top three countries in the world to open for tourism with strict precautions and policies in place.
Jamal Abdulnazar – CEO – Cozmo Travel
The second edition of the Gulf Travel Show I would say was very well done. This platform provided an opportunity for buyers from across the globe meet with almost 35 exhibitors over two days. Agents were able to find out the latest status in each destination, hotel or attraction, their safety protocols and most importantly an opportunity to network with new markets.
Aga Pytlik, General Manager – Pan World Travel and Tourism
The show as usual was amazing, it was a great opportunity not only to meet our suppliers and vendors but also to share opinions and provide different suggestions on how we can boost our industry and also how we can build confidence between travellers. It gave us the opportunity to interact with suppliers, vendors and visitors, so I believe it was really worth attending.
Eve Kerk, Sales Manager – Tours & Travel, LEGOLAND® Malaysia Resort
An eye opening virtual tradeshow with good tools to interact with all parties through chat, audio & video. Walk-in attendees are able to book an appointment on real time exhibitor schedule. Buyers were keen to explore and looking forward to a fam trip when Malaysia is ready to welcome tourists.
