BANGKOK, 29 April 2022: Thai Airways International is partnering with Bangkok’s Bumrungrad International Hospital to offer THAI Royal Orchid Plus members who travel with THAI or THAI Smile Airways discounts on medical and wellness services.
ROP members receive the benefits by presenting their THAI or
THAI Smile (four-digit flight code) ticket or boarding pass showing they have
travelled within the past six months and their ROP card, ID card, or
passport.
Benefits include a 20% discount on outpatient services, a
40% discount on inpatient rooms, a 10 to 20% discount on participating
VitalLife programmes and 15% discounts on participating Esperance
programmes.
The offers apply to members registering for treatments or programmes under the VitalLife Scientific Wellness Centre and Esperance Integrative Cancer Clinic from 1 May to 31 December 2022.
THAI director of customer & marketing department,
Kittiphong Sansomboon added: “THAI and
Bumrungrad are confident the partnership will fulfil ROP members’ lifestyle and
interests especially science-based wellness, which is a growing trend.”
KUALA LUMPUR, 29 April 2022: Capital A Berhad, formerly AirAsia Group, reported financial results for its consolidated AOCs* on Thursday, showing a healthy load factor of 76% based on an available capacity (seats flown) for up to 4.9 million passengers during the first quarter of 2022.
(*Capital A Berhad Consolidated AOCs (Air Operators Certificates) refer to the group’s airlines in Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines whose financial and operational results are consolidated for financial reporting purposes).
Passengers flown increased by 284% to reach 3.7 million year-on-year during the first quarter resulting in a nine percentage points improvement in load factor.
The group introduced an additional capacity of 238% year on
year to support improved demand as travel restrictions eased in the country the
group’s airlines operate.
As a result, available seat kilometres (ASK) soared by 223%,
and revenue passenger kilometres (RPK) jumped by 264% year on year, primarily
due to a strong domestic travel rebound and the gradual easing of travel
restrictions during the first quarter.
AirAsia Malaysia reported passengers carried improved by 464% and capacity by 455%, compared to the same quarter in the previous year. Additional domestic flights and the relaunch of numerous domestic routes between major cities helped boost performance, particularly during the festive season.
In the first quarter, the load factor increased by one
percentage point year on year to 74%. ASK jumped 475%, and RPK jumped 476% year
on year.
AirAsia Indonesia achieved an improved load factor of 76% in the first quarter, up 20 percentage points year on year. Passengers carried and capacity improved by 126% and 141% quarter-on-quarter, respectively, off the back of additional frequency added for domestic flights, particularly Jakarta to Denpasar and between Jakarta and Medan. The RPK improved 129% to 436 million from 190 million quarter on quarter and increased 22% year on year from 357 million in the quarter.
AirAsia Philippines continued to record the group’s highest quarterly load factor at 86%, which rose by 12 percentage points year on year, despite a steep rise in Omicron variant cases in the Philippines during the quarter. The number of seats sold and capacity increased 233% and 186%, respectively, compared to the same period last year. Similarly, ASK, and the number of flights flown grew 203% and 186% year on year.
During the first quarter of 2022, AirAsia Thailand carried
1.45 million passengers, up 48 percentage points year on year, an increase over
the past two consecutive quarters, mainly due to a moderate recovery in travel
demand and the easing of some entry rules.
AirAsia Thailand has increased flight frequencies and routes
to cater for the evolving resurgence in travel demand, resulting in a 32%
growth to give the airline 11,002 flights, helped by the resumption of
international flights. ASK and the seating capacity also improved by 34%.
Moreover, AirAsia Thailand has reallocated its capacity and flights to align
with the reviving demand. As a result, the load factor in the reporting quarter
was recorded at 73%, rising seven ppts from the same period last year.
1. Number of earned seats flown. Earned seats comprise seats sold to passengers (including no-shows). 2. Number of seats flown. 3. Number of Passengers Carried as a percentage of capacity. 4. Available Seat Kilometres (ASK) measures an airline’s passenger capacity. Total seats flown multiplied by the number of kilometres flown. 5. Revenue Passenger Kilometres (RPK) is a measure of the volume of passengers an airline carries. The number of passengers is multiplied by the number of kilometres passengers have flown. 6. Number of flights flown. 7. Number of aircraft, including spares.
MADRID, 29 April 2022: The World Tourism Organization’s General Assembly voted to suspend Russia’s membership in the UN specialised agency earlier this week despite Russia announcing its withdrawal ahead of the debate.
During the first-ever emergency session of the UNWTO General Assembly, members debated the suspension of Russia from the organisation, as recommended by the UNWTO Executive Council at its emergency meeting last month.
However, during the proceedings, the Russian delegation
declined to step up and defend its position at the assembly and instead
announced its intention to withdraw from UNWTO before the debate could take
place. Russian tourism was represented by the Federal Agency for Tourism which
reports directly to the Russian Federation’s Cabinet.
The debate went ahead and more than the required two-thirds majority voted in favour of suspending Russia’s membership. The General Assembly decision is effective immediately, the UN agency said in a media statement. In the absence of the suspension vote, Russia would have gained a year’s grace period to formally leave the organisation.
Commenting on the suspension vote, UNWTO secretary-general
Zurab Pololikashvili said: “UNWTO’s members have sent a clear message that
tourism is a pillar of peace and international friendship… Members must
uphold these values or face the consequences, with no exceptions. This
emergency General Assembly shows that Russia’s actions are indefensible and
contrary to the very principles of UNWTO and of international governance.”
Loss of rights and privileges
In total, 99 countries were represented in Madrid. According to Article Three of the Statutes, all members commit to developing tourism with a “view to contributing to economic development, international understanding, peace, prosperity, and universal prospect for, and observance of human rights”.
Effective immediately, the Russian Federation will not be
able to exercise the rights or enjoy the privileges of UNWTO membership. It
will not be able to receive services from the organisation, including technical
assistance. Nor will the Russian Federation be able to participate in any UNWTO
meetings or events or be permitted to put forward any candidates to serve on
UNWTO’s statutory bodies.
The suspension will impact the Russian Federal Agency for
Tourism’s participation in various UNWTO projects such as:
UNWTO Working Group on Silk Road Tourism Development;
UNWTO Working Group on the creation of an international code for the protection of tourists;
UNWTO Crisis Committee;
UNWTO Regional Commission for Europe.
The path to suspension
The first emergency session of the General Assembly was
convened at the request of six members and at the instruction of the UNWTO
Executive Council. The UNWTO Secretariat then provided a comprehensive report
to the General Assembly for member states to decide on the Russian Federation’s
suspension from membership, following the organisation’s statutes.
The UNWTO Statutes state that any member state may be suspended if two-thirds of their fellow members believe them to be persisting in a policy contrary to the organisation’s fundamental aim. A majority of two-thirds of full members present and voting at the General Assembly is required for a motion for suspension of membership to pass. Suspension is temporary and may be lifted, though only by the General Assembly and following the same procedure that led to its suspension. The next General Assembly is scheduled for late 2023.
In Asia, the Russian tourism agency continues to be involved in the APEC Tourism Working Group and participates in discussions under the banner of the Russian-ASEAN Tourism Consultations in Southeast Asia. It is also involved in tourism projects with various tourism ministries and government departments.
Vietnam A Memorandum of Understanding between the Federal Agency for Tourism and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam on Cooperation in tourism remains active through to 2024.
Cambodia A two-year joint action programme in tourism between the Federal Agency for Tourism and the Ministry of Tourism of the Kingdom of Cambodia concluded in 2020.
Indonesia There is a Memorandum of Understanding between the Federal Agency for Tourism and Indonesia’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism in the field of tourism.
North Korea A Federal Agency for Tourism MOU related to tourism is active with the State Tourism Administration of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea on Cooperation until 2024
Thailand A joint action programme was active from 2018 to 2020 involving tourism cooperation between the Russian Federal Agency for Tourism and Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports of Thailand.
Japan A three-year joint action programme between the Federal Agency for Tourism and the Japan Tourism Agency is active through 2023 regarding cooperation in tourism.
KUALA LUMPUR, 29 April 2022: There are signs of improved
growth in international passenger demand as more Asian economies ease travel
restrictions to welcome back visitors after two years of lockdowns, the
Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) reports in its latest traffic
figures for March.
International passengers carried by the region’s airlines
almost tripled to a combined 3.5 million compared in March compared to the same
month last year when the region’s airlines carried just 1.2 million passengers.
Nevertheless, demand remained a low 10.8% of the 32.5
million passengers carried in the pre-pandemic month of March 2019, as borders
in the region reopened slowly.
Measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPK),
international passenger demand jumped by 205.4% year-on-year, surpassing a
64.0% year-on-year expansion in available seat capacity. As a result, the
average international passenger load factor rose significantly, by 23.9
percentage points to 51.6% in March, surpassing the 50% mark for the first time
since the pandemic took hold.
Meanwhile, rising headwinds on multiple fronts dampened
trade activity after a relatively steady start to the year. Production
disruptions and congestion at China’s major ports and international trade
sanctions in relation to the Ukraine-Russia war strained global supply chains.
These challenging conditions had some short-term impacts on
the region’s air cargo markets. International air cargo demand as measured in
international freight tonne-kilometres (FTK) recorded its first monthly
year-on-year decline, by 1.3%, after 14 consecutive months of growth. However,
this was mitigated by still strong demand from the major economies. Growth in
commercial passenger operations helped drive a 5.1% year-on-year expansion in
offered freight capacity, resulting in a 4.5 percentage point decline in the
average international freight load factor to 70.4% for the month.
Commenting on the results, AAPA director general Subhas
Menon said: “After two years of coping with the pandemic, a growing number
of Asian governments have begun to treat Covid-19 as endemic, as high
vaccination levels are achieved in parallel. The progressive reopening of
borders and easing of restrictions, including removing quarantines for
vaccinated travellers and reduced testing requirements, have positively
impacted international travel demand.”
Menon added, “However, some uncertainty remains, as the
pace of reopening continues to vary across the region, with some governments
taking a more cautious approach. Major markets such as China and Japan remain
largely closed off to international visitors. More broadly, elevated fuel
prices and inflation across major economies and the weakening of selected Asian
currencies may also affect the pace and extent of recovery in the region’s
travel markets.”
He concluded, “While the recent easing of travel
restrictions is very much welcome by the industry, incoherent and uneven border
control measures across economies continue to confuse travellers and hinder
travel recovery. As such, close cooperation among governments and industry
partners remains crucial to restoring international connectivity.”
GENEVA, 29 April 2022: The International Air Transport
Association (IATA) warns that a proposed 37% increase in airport charges in the
Netherlands could risk significant damage to the recovery of air connectivity
in the country.
Despite input from IATA and several airlines, the regulator
for airport charges at Schiphol confirmed last week it accepted the airport’s
position that due to losses incurred during the Covid-19 shutdown, it must
raise airport charges by a cumulative 37% over the next three years.
Air travel has still not recovered from Covid-19, and the
impacts in the Netherlands at the height of the crisis caused passenger traffic
to fall by more than 70%, at the cost of around 200,000 aviation-supported
jobs.
A gradual recovery is underway, but the foundations are
weak, IATA noted.
IATA’s Connectivity Index shows the Netherlands is still 35%
below its 2019 peak. At this crucial time, the regulator’s decision puts the
country’s position as one of the most competitive European air transport hubs
at risk.
The Dutch regulator’s stance is in sharp contrast with the
position taken by other independent regulators in the region that try to
protect the consumer, IATA noted.
In Spain, the regulator rejected the claims from the airport
operator that it needed to recover its pandemic losses. The Spanish regulator
calculated that the airport operator had sufficient cash reserves to cover the
shortfall and would benefit from growing traffic in coming years – and it has
frozen charges for the next three years.
Schiphol is in a similar situation, and the regulator should
be similarly robust. Pre-pandemic, Schiphol declared EUR 742 million of
dividends over the 2015-19 period, and it has several options to cover its
losses. Schiphol can easily finance short-term losses without increasing costs
to its customers.
“Schiphol airport and its regulator have completely
failed to consider the exceptional circumstances that were created by Covid-19.
The cost recovery system was never expected to operate in circumstances where
demand would collapse for an extended period due to government-imposed travel
restrictions. It cannot be reasonable to dump a 37% increase on airlines and
passengers. Nor is it sensible to put such costs onto air transport in the
Netherlands when other cost pressures, including rising environmental taxes,
are already damaging the competitive position of Dutch aviation,” said
IATA’s regional vice president for Europe Rafael Schvartzman.
SANTA CLARITA, USA, 29 April 2022: Television stars and show hosts will unite as godparents to officially name the newest Princess Cruises ship – Discovery Princess.
Fashion designer Randy Fenoli, chef Alex Guarnaschelli,
special effects designer and fabricator Adam Savage, and real estate broker and
flipper extraordinaire Page Turner will come together for the maritime naming
ceremony tradition at the Port of Los Angeles today, 29 April.
Television Stars Randy Fenoli, Chef Alex Guarnaschelli, Adam Savage, and Page Turner to Officially Name the Cruise Line’s Newest Ship.
For the past seven years, Princess has offered
the cruise line’s exclusive Discovery at SEA™
program – bringing the spirit of curiosity and exploration to every cruise
through branded experiences like Shark Week at Sea, exclusive shore excursions
and onboard activities such as the Camp Discovery youth centres and Stargazing
at SEA.
“Bringing together these four experts and personalities to
name Discovery Princess for the launch of our newest ship is an exciting moment
for Princess,” said Princess Cruises president John Padgett. “Our impressive
godparents, who represent the best in food, style, wonder and exploration,
bring their imaginative and inspirational talents together to celebrate this
momentous occasion. We look forward to exploring what we all can do together in
the future.”
About Discovery Princess
Discovery Princess expands the cruise line’s fleet of
MedallionClass ships to 15, offering elegantly appointed accommodations,
world-class entertainment, gourmet dining and cocktails, extensive alfresco
dining areas and expansive views from the cruise line’s largest balconies at
sea in the Sky Suites.
The 3,660-guest Discovery Princess was built at the
Fincantieri Shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy, and is the sixth and final
Royal-Class newbuild sharing all of the spectacular style and luxury of her
sister ships – Enchanted Princess® Sky Princess®, Majestic Princess®, Regal
Princess® and Royal Princess®.
As part of the leading cruise line on the west coast,
Discovery Princess debuted in Los Angeles on 27 March, sailing a series of
Mexican Riviera and California Coast voyages from 27 March to 24 April. After
the naming ceremony in Los Angeles on 29 April, the ship will head up the
Pacific coast to begin a season of seven-day Alaska cruises from Seattle,
making her the newest ship sailing in the Alaska region.
With an array of innovative new experiences, guests will
enjoy 270-degree sweeping views from the Princess’ largest balconies at sea in
the Sky Suites, unwind in ultimate comfort at The Sanctuary and indulge the
senses with world-class dining options. Plus, Princess live entertainment
presents mesmerizing Broadway-style production shows that can only be seen in
the state-of-the-art Princess Theater, including the newest show, Spotlight
Bar.
In
addition, Discovery Princess delivers Princess MedallionClass Vacations which
begin with the Medallion™ wearable, a quarter-sized device that enables
everything from expedited contactless boarding to locating loved ones anywhere
on the ship, as well as enhanced service like having whatever guests need delivered
directly to them, wherever they are on the ship. In addition, guests can share
their favourite cruise moments using MedallionNet, the best Wi-Fi at sea, and
stay connected with friends and family back home, work remotely anywhere on the
ship, quickly post content and stream favourite movies and shows.
Discovery
Princess also offers signature Princess venues and amenities, including the
Piazza, Lotus Spa, The Sanctuary, Movies Under the Stars, Gigi’s Pizzeria, Good
Spirits at Sea Bar, Vegas-Style Casino, The Shops of Princess, Camp Discovery
Youth & Teen Center and Discovery at SEA™ programmes.
Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel advisor, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS (1-800-774-6237), or by visiting the company’s website at http://www.princess.com/.
About Princess Cruises
One of the best-known names in cruising, Princess Cruises is the world’s leading international premium cruise line and tour company operating a fleet of 15 modern cruise ships, carrying millions of guests each year to 330 destinations around the globe, including the Caribbean, Alaska, Panama Canal, Mexican Riviera, Europe, South America, Australia/New Zealand, the South Pacific, Hawaii, Asia, Canada/New England, Antarctica, and World Cruises.
SINGAPORE, 28 April 2022: Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), the innovator in global cruise travel, kicked off the 2022 Alaskan cruise season with Norwegian Bliss from the Port of Seattle.
The ship is the first of any cruise ship to visit Alaska this season and the first of five Norwegian Cruise Line vessels to cruise The Last Frontier through October 2022.
Guests on Norwegian Bliss’ 23 April 2022 sailing are the
first of the season to discover the epic sites of the destination. The vessel
will provide travellers with immersive experiences through Southeast Alaska,
visiting natural wonders, including the passage through the 25-million-acre
World Heritage Site, Glacier Bay National Park. NCL was granted access to this
natural wonder due to the Company’s environmental commitments focused on air
emissions, waste and wildlife protection. Other once-in-a-lifetime sites guests
may visit include the majestic Mendenhall Glacier, which lies nearly 12 miles
outside Juneau, Alaska and the Misty Fiords National Monument near Ketchikan,
Alaska a glacier-carved wilderness featuring snowcapped mountains and waterfalls.
Norwegian Cruise Line has a long history of cruising from
Seattle to Alaska, having pioneered the route in 2001. The Company is deeply
committed to the region, working with destination partners in Seattle and
Alaska to drive immersive and responsible tourism. In conjunction with Port of
Seattle, Norwegian Cruise Line Holding (NCLH), NCL’s parent company, invested
US$30 million to upgrade Pier 66, the renowned site where Norwegian Bliss was
christened in 2018. The dual investment expanded the check-in area by 300% to
more than 150,000 square feet. It also expanded two new passenger boarding
bridges to provide a more comfortable and efficient embarkation process.
Driving economic support in Alaska, the Company partnered
with and invested in Ward Cove Dock Group, LLC, transforming land, formerly
designated as a superfund cleanup, or contaminated land, by the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA), into a sustainable, environmentally friendly and
entertaining site for the community and cruise visitors.
Through a partnership with the Alaska Native-owned Huna
Totem Corporation, The Company was able to complete a second cruise pier at Icy
Strait Point and expand the destination’s Wilderness Landing. Enhancements
featured upgraded retail and restaurants, as well as shore excursion offerings,
including the world’s largest ZipRider zip line and experiences highlighting
the culture of the native Huna Tlingit people.
In 2021, as part of NCL’s Great Cruise Comeback to celebrate
the restart of its operations, The Brand restarted its U.S. voyages from
Seattle to Alaska, making its first call to Icy Strait Point and also
officially welcoming the opening of the new Wilderness Landing pier and the
first of two gondola systems to be completed as part of the joint investment
between NCLH and Huna Totem.
“We have nearly three decades of history cruising Alaska,
pioneering voyages to The Last Frontier from Seattle more than 22 years ago and
christened the largest cruise ship in Seattle in 2018 with the debut of
Norwegian Bliss,” said Norwegian Cruise Line President and Chief Executive
Officer, Harry Sommer. “We could not be any prouder to return to our ‘second
home’ and jumpstart the 2022 Alaska season with one of our most innovative
ships and provide unforgettable guest experiences with some of the world’s most
bucket-list destinations.”
Throughout the 2022 cruise season, NCL will have the
youngest fleet sailing Alaska and offer the largest capacity ever with the most
sailings offered by the Brand in Alaska, including a variety of cruises for
guests to choose from with five, seven, nine, and 10-day itineraries on
Norwegian Bliss, Encore, Sun, Spirit, and Jewel.
“The Port of Seattle is excited to welcome cruise back
to our region for the first full season since 2019,” said Steve Metruck,
Port of Seattle Executive Director. “As we provide vital support for
Seattle’s maritime, tourism, small business, and supplier sectors, we also are
leading the industry in environmental excellence.”
Cruise in Seattle provides nearly US$900 million in economic
benefits supporting 5,500 jobs, and is an important component of the Port of
Seattle’s strategy to expand economic opportunity.
Rounding out this momentous industry and Brand kickoff and as
part of NCL’s Great Cruise Comeback for Alaskan cruises, Norwegian Sun will also return to sail on 5 May 2022, marking the 16th of our
17 ship fleet to return to operation as she sets sail from Seattle and makes
her way through Alaska and British Columbia. She will offer five, seven, nine
and ten-day itineraries this year before setting sail from Hong Kong.
For more information about the Company’s award-winning 17-ship fleet and worldwide itineraries, or to book a cruise, contact a travel professional, call NCL Hong Kong at +852 800 901 951 or visit www.ncl.com.
HONG KONG, 28 April 2020: Airport Authority of Hong Kong is
applying the latest disinfection technologies, including disinfection channels,
antimicrobial coating and autonomous cleaning robots, at Hong Kong
International Airport (HKIA) to protect passengers from Covid-19 infection.
HKIA is the world’s first airport where “CLeanTech”, a full-body disinfection channel facility, is trialled in live operation. Persons using the facility will have a temperature check before entering an enclosed channel for the 40-second disinfection and sanitizing procedures. The interior surface of the channel is equipped with an antimicrobial coating which can remotely kill viruses and bacteria on human bodies and clothing by using the technologies of photocatalyst and “nanoneedles”. Sanitizing spray is also applied for instant disinfection. The channel is kept under negative pressure to prevent cross-contamination between the outside and inside environment. Currently, the facility is designated for use by staff who take part in public health and quarantine duties at the airport in relation to arriving passengers.
Meanwhile, the AA is conducting a pilot test of applying
antimicrobial coating at all passenger facilities. An invisible coating to
destroy germs, bacteria and viruses are applied to high-touch surfaces in the
terminal, including handles and seats of Automated People Movers and passenger
buses, smart check-in kiosks and check-in counters, toilets, seating area in
the terminal, baggage trolleys, elevator buttons, and more. After completion of
the trial in May, the AA will consider implementing it as a long term
disinfection measure.
Autonomous cleaning robots are also deployed to ensure
thorough disinfection of public areas and passenger facilities in HKIA.
Intelligent Sterilization Robot, equipped with ultraviolet light sterilizer and
air sterilizer, is deployed round-the-clock in public toilets and key operating
areas in the terminal building. The robot can move around autonomously and
sterilize up to 99.99% of bacteria in its vicinity, including both the air and
object surfaces, in just 10 minutes.
HONG KONG, 28 April 2022: Travellers who are non-residents
of Hong Kong will be able to visit Hong Kong when the government eases entry
rules starting 1 May.
The move also includes relaxing route-specific flight
suspension rules to allow airlines to resume services after a two-year pause
with some of the region’s strictest limitations on travel to Hong Kong.
Hong Kong said it was relaxing rules in response to the latest development indicating Covid-19 is approaching an epidemic. It also considered the recent volume of inbound passenger flow, the number of imported cases, the city’s capacity to tackle the local epidemic, and overall socio-economic needs.
The government’s Inter-departmental Steering Committee &
Command Centre pointed out that there has been an increase in the daily number
of inbound travellers since the lifting of the place-specific flight suspension
for nine overseas destinations on 1 April.
The daily average number of arrivals rose from fewer than
300 between January and March to about 1,200 since April. At the same time, the
proportion of imported cases dropped from 3% in the January-March period to
about 1% since April.
From 1 May, non-Hong Kong residents who have stayed in
overseas places in the past 14 days will be allowed to enter Hong Kong and be
subject to the same boarding, quarantine and testing arrangements as Hong Kong
residents.
They must comply with all stringent inbound testing and
quarantine requirements, including being fully vaccinated, undergoing a
pre-departure nucleic acid test with a negative result and the booking
designated quarantine hotels (DQHs).
Upon arrival, they will be subject to the test-and-hold
arrangement at the airport and then transferred to DQHs by designated transport
to undergo compulsory quarantine and multiple testings.
Meanwhile, the triggering thresholds for the route-specific
flight suspension mechanism will also be adjusted with effect from May. If
there are five or more passengers, or 5% or more of the passengers onboard,
test positive for Covid-19 upon arrival (whichever is higher), the airline’s
flights on that specific route are banned for five days.
The five-day landing ban will also apply to a passenger
flight that has three or more passengers on board who test positive for the
virus upon arrival and at least one who fails to comply with the requirements
specified under the Prevention & Control of Disease (Regulation of
Cross-boundary Conveyances & Travellers) Regulation.
DUBAI, 28 April 2022: Arabian Travel Market 2022 convenes
from 9 to 12 May, with organisers estimating the show will attract more than
1,500 exhibitors, representatives from 112 global destinations, and an
anticipated 20,000 attendees.
Taking place at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) in
collaboration with Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), the 29th
edition of ATM will form an essential part of the UAE’s annual Arabian Travel
Week. The live show will prelude ATM Virtual, running from 17 to 18 May.
In keeping with this year’s theme, ‘The future of
international travel and tourism’, ATM 2022 will roll out sessions that enable
industry professionals from around the world to discuss current trends and
explore long-term opportunities within the fields of travel, transportation,
tourism, hospitality, events and attractions.
Kerry Prince, Chief Growth Officer, RX said: “Business
travel expenditure in the Middle East is forecast to rise by 32% this year,
according to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), and these figures
underscore the positive sentiment that we’ve experienced throughout the region.
“This naturally bodes well for yet another successful
edition of ATM, providing a catalyst to put our industry firmly on the path to
a robust and sustainable recovery, alongside our partners the DET and of
course, the DWTC.”
The show floor at this year’s edition will be over 85%
larger than at ATM 2022 thanks to the expansion of several sectors- and
region-specific zones, including Travel Tech (380%); hotels (71%); the Middle
East (57%); Africa (56%); Asia (50%); and Europe (49%).
Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai
Tourism) Chief Executive Officer Issam Kazim commented: “Since reopening
to the global market in July 2020, Dubai has never looked back. We have been
able to build on this momentum year on year, leading to a hugely successful
Expo 2020 Dubai. And ATM comes at a time when the rest of the world wants to be
a part of this remarkable journey with Dubai.”
One of many show highlights, the revamped and rebranded ATM
Travel Tech event, previously called Travel Forward, has undergone a
year-on-year expansion of almost 400%. In addition to the latest travel
technology products and services, the ATM Travel Tech Stage will host a series
of seminars, debates and presentations focused on the long-term trajectory of
tourism in the Middle East.
Arabian Travel Market exhibition director ME Danielle Curtis
added: “As a globally recognised tech hub, Dubai offers an unparalleled
environment for entrepreneurs and start-ups working to drive advancements
within travel, tourism and hospitality”. “Indeed, the effective development and
implementation of technology are essential to our industry’s day-to-day
operations as well as its long-term sustainability and success.”
The inaugural ATM Draper-Aladdin Start-up Competition has
generated significant buzz since its launch earlier this year. Held in conjunction
with AladdinB2B and Draper Associates, the initiative will see 15 travel,
tourism and hospitality start-ups pitch for USD500,000 of funding.
Building on the success of ATM’s hybrid approach during the
global pandemic, this year’s in-person event will be followed by the third
instalment of ATM Virtual, which will take place from Tuesday, 17 to Wednesday,
18 May 2022. This component will offer industry professionals the opportunity
to showcase their destinations to a global audience of travel buyers and
provide a platform for travel professionals to continue their all-important
one-to-one meetings and view on-demand sessions conducted during the in-person
show from the comfort of their homes and offices.
