TravTalk Middle East Online Magazine
The first mega event to be hosted in the region, Expo 2020, will lay the foundations for diversified and sustainable tourism through a series of initiatives designed to support UAE’s plans for a knowledge-based economy
Marjan Faraidooni, SVP, Legacy Developments & Impact,
Expo 2020 Dubai
We planned the Expo with two missions in mind. The first is to make sure the visitor has an unforgettable experience. The second mission is the legacy question. Expo 2020 is being built with legacy in mind and all assets will remain after the event including the buildings and transport infrastructure. The first Expo in London had one of the most enduring legacies and we will celebrate this in many ways during Expo 2020. The legacy that we will leave behind is bringing Expo to a truly global audience, to inspire visitors to return to Dubai time and again.
Issam Kazim, CEO, DTCM
Many travel decisions are influenced by what people see on social media and their desire to recreate and share their own versions of the celebrity and influencer content. We work with influencers on social media to help them create shareable content that will help promote the many things happening in Dubai. Social media is also key to understanding that we market the right elements from Dubai to the right markets at the right time, to continue to drive visitor numbers. Most people are unaware of the depth of the cultural and historical attractions in Dubai and few understand there are 200 nationalities who have chosen to make Dubai their home. Posts on social media will help us tell the world that story.
Simon Press, Senior Exhibition Director, Arabian Travel Market
The seminar explored the importance of Dubai’s sustainable tourism initiatives, the expansion of the emirate’s airports’ capacity and the engagement of global audiences through partnerships with celebrities and social media influencers.
Deirdre Wells OBE, CEO, UKinbound
London is an established market, welcoming an average of 30 million visitors a year. We knew the 2012 Olympics would attract significant additional arrivals so the critical part of the planning was focused on legacy, with tourism a key component. The Olympics is a major sports and broadcast event, so in terms of investment and planning, around 60 per cent of our £30 million budget over four years was dedicated to post-event activities.
Khalifa Bin Braik, Head-Asset Management Hotels, Majid Al Futtaim Properties
The UAE continues to attract both international and regional hotel brands as opportunities exist for expansion. In order to remain competitive in the hospitality market and beyond 2020, hoteliers should look to provide personalized omni-channel experiences to engage with their customers through multiple touch points. Social platforms and digital innovation have also triggered the rise of experiential travel where customers often want high-quality inclusiveness through experience, simplicity and convenience. As a leading hotel developer and asset manager in the MENA region, Majid Al Futtaim is at the forefront of understanding how technology can generate long-term value beyond 2020. In the build-up to the Expo, our work is focused on enhancing the customer experience through various technologies across our existing 12 hotels and future developments. Through our integrated retail, leisure and entertainment offerings, we continue seeking differentiation by providing unique experiences, aligned to each customer’s needs, which would then create great moments for everyone every day.
