Tapping new markets and trends

Travel, tourism and hospitality professionals share their expectations from this year’s Arabian Travel Market as they venture into new areas seeking opportunities to enhance and expose their products on offer to the world on this stage.

Shehara Rizly

“We will be showing our leadership in mobile and the ways Travelport is leading the digital transformation by connecting all the people in travel with all the people who travel. Travelport powers over $79 billion of travel spending. We will be at Sheikh Saeed Hall 1 – Stand TT1520. The stand will feature an array of interactive features including demo pods for visitors to experience the technologies for themselves and learn more about latest developments including the partnership with IndiGo, India’s largest airline.”

Matthew Powell, Regional Director, ME and South Asia, Travelport

“The year 2017 is a busy year for R Hotels with the launch of our two new properties. The Retreat Palm Dubai, MGallery by Sofitel will cater to the growing global demand for spa and wellness tourism, which is also one of the highlights of this year’s ATM. Wyndham Garden Ajman Corniche is set to accommodate the rising number of visitors in the emirate, and to boost our presence in the Northern Emirates with the largest room inventory in Ajman. On top of the new openings, the group continuously seeks to strengthen its presence in the GCC region, and look out for new and emerging markets. Our properties are all in strategic business and leisure locations in Ajman and Dubai, and we are always on the lookout to acquire and develop new hotels to strengthen our portfolio.”

Sumair Tariq, Managing Director, R Hotels

“We showcase Tilal Liwa Hotel as a unique desert hideaway destination in Western Region of Abu Dhabi and target travellers who are looking for ultimate desert experience. Tilal Liwa Hotel is one of the best desert destination offering a high-quality stay catering to convenience and budget minded guests. Combining our world-class facilities, personalised services, action packed desert activities and more, we have come up with the most affordable packages suitable for individual travelers, families and couples around the UAE and abroad. We’re hoping a lot of visitors and exhibitors this coming ATM compared to last year and hope to get more leads where the business opportunities are for 2017 and 2018.”

Khaled Sharabassy, General Manager, Tilal Liwa Hotel

“Ramada Plaza Jumeirah Beach and Ramada Hotel & Suites Sharjah is excited to be at the 2017 Arabian Travel Market. One of our main aims during the show is to develop relations with existing partners and create new ones. It’s also a great opportunity for us to keep up to date with the latest market trends so we are hoping to identify areas that we can implement in our current operations. Both hotels will be represented at the Wyndham Hotel Group stand, number HC0605, where you can find out more.”

Angela Christodoulopoulou, Cluster DOSM, Ramada Plaza Jumeirah Beach and Ramada Hotel & Suites Sharjah

“The Middle East is an emerging growth market for Brussels. To this end we are participating at ATM 2017 where we will launch two packages that have been crafted especially for visitors from the Middle East. Titled ‘Brusselious & ME’, the packages will focus on Brussels’ excellent gourmet and cultural experiences for families and couples. Naturally the experiences will also include Halal options. Brussels is known for its gastronomical and culturally immersive experiences. We are also known for our amazing chocolates! A truly unique experience is our “Tram experience” where Belgian chefs take you for a gastronomy tour while being driven around Brussels’ major attractions.”

Pieter Callebaut, Account Manager, Leisure, Visit Brussels

Our highlight this year is the recent completion of Ramada Hotel & Suites Sharjah’s renovation. The hotel has earned a 4-star status and now offers new room categories, as well as six meeting and event venues and the executive lounge. We are now in the position to welcome more corporate business with the addition of diverse event and meeting venues which can enjoy upgraded food and beverage options and provide access to the new executive lounge, while continuing to attract leisure guests from CIS markets, Far East and some of the African countries.

Yasser El Sayed, Hotel Manager, Ramada Hotel & Suites Sharjah

Infinia Services & Solutions introduces a progressive approach to tourism–a mobile app namely Dubuy. It presents tourists visiting Dubai with discounts, offers and deals all year, underscoring Dubai’s tourist appeal. We look forward to partnering with leading travel professionals who recognise the synergy between experience and technology for today’s traveller and to bring Dubuy to the forefront of Dubai’s tourism since ATM is the biggest travel trade show in the Middle East.

Prashant Khattar, MD and Founder, Infinia