ATM 2025 Opens with High-Level Discussions on Socio-Economic Growth Through Major Events and Festivals

Dubai, April 28, 2025 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) — On the opening day of the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025 in Dubai, leading figures from the UAE’s tourism sector convened alongside representatives from the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) and the International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO) to discuss the growing role of major events and festivals in driving socio-economic development across the region.

The panel, hosted on the Business Events Stage and moderated by Senthil Gopinath, CEO of ICCA, featured Ahmed Al-Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (Dubai Economy and Tourism); Mubarak Al Shamsi, Director of the Abu Dhabi Convention and Exhibition Bureau (Department of Culture and Tourism); Iyad Rasbey, Vice President of Destination Tourism Development at the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority; and Martin Thomas Boyle, CEO of IAPCO.

Opening the session, Al-Khaja emphasized the vital role of festivals in shaping Dubai’s economic and cultural identity. He particularly highlighted the Dubai Shopping Festival, launched in 1996, as a transformative event that has succeeded in attracting both residents and international tourists, significantly contributing to Dubai’s global positioning.

Speaking on Abu Dhabi’s strategy, Al Shamsi noted: “In recent years, Abu Dhabi has achieved remarkable success in hosting major exhibitions, conferences, and events, delivering clear economic benefits. However, our strategy extends beyond numbers and is focused on creating a long-lasting legacy that aligns with Vision 2030, with a focus on advancing key sectors including healthcare, innovation, sustainability, and energy."

Iyad Rasbey outlined Ras Al Khaimah’s growing prominence in the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) segment, noting that events contributed significantly to the Emirate’s 40% tourism growth last year. He cited successful hosting of the Global Citizen Forum and the Arab Aviation Summit, which played a crucial role in expanding the Emirate’s connectivity and attracting high-net-worth visitors.

Elsewhere at ATM, industry leaders discussed evolving global travel trends. Fouad Talat, Regional Manager at Booking.com; John Bevan, CEO of dnata Travel Group; and Amani O’Neill, Senior Public Policy Manager for the Middle East at Airbnb, explored microtrends such as sleep tourism, dark tourism, and coffee tourism. The panelists emphasized how these emerging trends are reshaping travel behavior and advised on how tourism providers could adapt marketing strategies to align with these shifts.

The Business Events Stage will continue to serve as a central platform throughout ATM, with tomorrow’s agenda featuring an exclusive networking session designed to foster new collaborations between international and regional associations.

The Arabian Travel Market 2025 is hosting 2,800 exhibitors and is expected to welcome over 55,000 attendees from 161 countries. The event offers a comprehensive agenda with more than 70 conference sessions featuring 200 distinguished speakers across the Global Stage, Future Stage, and the newly introduced Business Events Stage, underscoring ATM’s position as one of the world’s leading travel and tourism events.