Big-ticket events set the stage for tourism growth in the Middle East - Middle East Business News and Information
Experts speaking at ATM 2025 discussed how global sports tournaments, cultural festivals and music events across the region are boosting tourism and economic growth
Dubai, United Arab Emirates, August 2025: 'Big-ticket' events are playing a pivotal role in driving international tourism and accelerating economic growth, according to experts speaking recently at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025. In the GCC alone, the event and exhibition market is expected to reach US$827 million by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 3.94%.
Following the global success of mega-events such as the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and Expo 2020 Dubai, momentum is building across the region as Saudi Arabia prepares to host the 2034 World Cup.
Discussing the evolution and impact of these events, panellists including H.E. Khalid Jassim Al Midfa, Chairman, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority; Sebastien Doussin, Senior Vice President – Global Travel Services & Destination Management. Dnata and Noor Ahmad Hamid, CEO, Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), shared fascinating insights at ATM 2025, where the events industry was under the spotlight.
The panel addressed how big-ticket events – so-called for their high value, cost and impact – have demonstrated their ability to attract millions of international visitors, boost hotel occupancy, stimulate infrastructure growth and generate long-term brand positioning for host destinations.
Highlighting the importance of understanding the long-term strategic value of big-ticket events beyond immediate sales, H.E. Khalid Jassim Al Midfa commented: 'Big-ticket events provide a destination with an opportunity to establish brand positioning and exposure in a competitive global environment. These events play a vital role in supporting broader government objectives, but it is essential to invest in the right product for your destination.'
Doussin reaffirmed the importance of large-scale events in destination positioning, referencing the growth of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the surge of international golfing tournaments throughout the UAE and the launch of NBA events in the capital.
Commenting on the impact of technology on events, Doussin said: 'Technology has already changed big-ticket events, especially in terms of distribution and customer experience. All of the ticketing for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar was completely digital through the official event app, offering flexibility and ease of use. Ultimately, technology enables an event to become more seamless, easier and enjoyable.'
Meanwhile, Hamid urged the industry to broaden the definition of big-ticket events to include exhibitions, conferences and cultural performances. He referenced Bangkok's weekly concerts, which are mainly K-pop driven, as examples of how live entertainment extends tourist stays.
Supporting the panel's observations, the ATM Travel Trends report highlights the rising appeal of live entertainment and sports in influencing travel decisions. Leisure events were outlined as the top opportunity for tourism growth among 50% of industry experts, as consumer demand for in-person and cultural experiences has increased significantly in recent years.
The trend of combining traditional leisure and business travel, or 'bleisure', has also accelerated as increased remote working and flexible working visas have enabled more people to live and work overseas. Building on this, business travellers are often extending their stays in destinations, creating a new opportunity in this rapidly expanding sector.
The report also highlighted that business events (MICE) are emerging as a significant driver of tourism growth across the Middle East, complementing the region's thriving leisure sector. Global business travel reached a record US$1.4 trillion in 2024 and is projected to rise to US$2 trillion by 2030. The Middle East is well-positioned to capture a growing share of this lucrative market, increasing from approximately 2.5% in 2024 to over 3% by the end of the decade, supported by world-class infrastructure, a strategic location, and an expanding schedule of high-profile events.
Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market , concluded: 'As big-ticket events continue to gain global prominence, their role in shaping the future of tourism, driving economic diversification and enhancing international reputation has never been more evident. The Middle East, with its strategic vision, world-class infrastructure and focus on innovation, is well-positioned to lead the next era of global event tourism.'
Building on the success of its inaugural edition, IBTM@ATM will return to ATM 2026, which takes place at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 4-7 May 2026, with a dedicated zone within Hall 3, highlighting the show's strategic focus on the global business events sector.
Designed to facilitate high-value connections, the zone allows business event suppliers to showcase, promote their destinations and services, and engage with pre-qualified international event planners, Professional Conference Organisers (PCOs), and associations through an exclusive hosted buyer programme.
This specialised area will once again host the IBTM Stage, providing a comprehensive conference programme tailored to industry professionals, encouraging knowledge exchange and thought leadership. IBTM@ATM 2026 is set to be a vibrant hub for innovation, collaboration, and business growth in the global events industry.
Now in its 33 rd year, Arabian Travel Market (ATM) is the leading global platform driving growth and innovation across every sector of travel and tourism. Held annually in Dubai – the gateway to global travel and tourism with its unmatched connectivity – ATM is where the energy of opportunity comes to life.
More than just an event, ATM is a dynamic hub for industry communities, with forums, experiences, and networking that continue well beyond the show floor over the week. Now in a period of rapid expansion, ATM has grown 16% year on year, attracting over 55,000 travel professionals from 166 countries.
About RX:
RX is a global leader in events and exhibitions, leveraging industry expertise, data, and technology to build businesses for individuals, communities, and organisations. With a presence in 25 countries across 42 industry sectors, RX hosts approximately 350 events annually. RX is committed to creating an inclusive work environment for all our people. RX empowers businesses to thrive by leveraging data-driven insights and digital solutions. RX is part of RELX, a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers.
About RELX:
RELX is a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. RELX serves customers in more than 180 countries and has offices in about 40 countries. It employs more than 36,000 people over 40% of whom are in North America. The shares of RELX PLC, the parent company, are traded on the London, Amsterdam and New York stock exchanges using the following ticker symbols: London: REL; Amsterdam: REN; New York: RELX. *Note: Current market capitalisation can be found at http://www.relx.com/investors
World Travel Market (WTM) portfolio comprises leading travel events and online portals across four continents. The events are:
WTM London is the world's most influential travel & tourism event for the global travel community. The show is the ultimate destination for those seeking a macro view of the travel industry and a deeper understanding of the forces shaping it. WTM London is where influential travel leaders, buyers and high-profile travel companies gather to exchange ideas, drive innovation, and accelerate business outcomes.
WTM Latin America takes place annually in the city of São Paulo and attracts around 20,000 tourism professionals during the three-day event. The event offers qualified content together with networking and business opportunities. In this its ninth edition – there have been eight face-to-face events along with a 100% virtual one, which was held in 2021 – WTM Latin America continued to focus on effective business generation, and achieved the advance booking of six thousand meetings that were held between buyers, travel agents and exhibitors in 2022.
WTM Africa launched in 2014 in Cape Town, South Africa. In 2022, WTM Africa facilitated more than 7 thousand unique pre-scheduled appointments, an increase of more than 7% compared to 2019 and welcomed more than 6 thousand visitors (unaudited), the same number as in 2019.
About ATW Connect: Africa Travel Week's digital arm, is a virtual hub packed to the seams with interesting content, industry news and insights, and the opportunity to hear from experts on a variety of topics in our new monthly webinar series. All with the aim to keep all of us in the travel and tourism industry connected. ATW Connect focuses on inbound and outbound markets for general leisure tourism, luxury travel and the MICE/business travel sector as well as travel technology.
WTM Global Hub, is the WTM Portfolio online portal created to connect and support travel industry professionals around the world. The resource hub offers the latest guidance and knowledge to help exhibitors, buyers and others in the travel industry face the challenges of the global coronavirus pandemic. WTM Portfolio is tapping into its global network of experts to create content for the hub. https://hub.wtm.com/
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al-Ahram Weekly
27 minutes ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Uncertainty persists despite EU-US trade deal: Lagarde - Economy
The US-EU trade deal has eased but "certainly not eliminated" global uncertainty, European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde said Wednesday. Speaking at a panel at the World Economic Forum in Geneva, Lagarde said the deal had left the effective US tariff rate for EU goods at between 12 and 16 percent. The tariff rate was "somewhat higher" than the ECB had forecast, she said, adding that President Donald Trump's plans for sector-specific levies on pharmaceutical goods and semiconductors remain unclear. The ECB expects eurozone activity to slow in the third quarter of 2025 after a strong start to the year. Lagarde said that "global growth has remained broadly steady so far" but cautioned that "this resilience has been mainly driven by tariff-induced distortions of economic activity". She noted that, in the first quarter of the year, "importers boosted their inventories in anticipation of higher tariffs". Trump has imposed painful import tariffs on countries around the world in an attempt to boost US manufacturing and reduce his country's colossal trade deficit. He had initially threatened steep 30 percent tariffs on EU imports but late last month Brussels and Washington reached a deal which lowered that to 15 percent, with the bloc trying to secure exemptions for certain sectors. However, in recent weeks Trump has raised the possibility of additional tariffs hitting certain sectors such as pharmaceuticals, which account for 20 percent of the the EU's exports to the United States. The EU-US deal was struck a few days after a meeting of the ECB's governing council at which it decided to hold interest rates steady after consecutive cuts. That was seen as a sign of caution as policymakers waited to see what effects the US tariffs would have. In its last macroeconomic projections in June, the ECB lowered its inflation forecast to two percent for 2025 due to lower energy prices and a strengthening euro. At the same time it lowered its forecast for GDP growth in 2026 slightly to 1.1 percent. Lagarde said that new forecasts set to published in mid-September will take into account "the implications of the EU-US trade deal for the euro area economy". Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Mid East Info
14 hours ago
- Mid East Info
Big-ticket events set the stage for tourism growth in the Middle East - Middle East Business News and Information
The event and exhibition market in the GCC is expected to be valued at US$827 million by 2029 According to the ATM Travel Trends report, 50% of industry experts consider leisure events as a key opportunity for the region's tourism growth Experts speaking at ATM 2025 discussed how global sports tournaments, cultural festivals and music events across the region are boosting tourism and economic growth Dubai, United Arab Emirates, August 2025: 'Big-ticket' events are playing a pivotal role in driving international tourism and accelerating economic growth, according to experts speaking recently at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025. In the GCC alone, the event and exhibition market is expected to reach US$827 million by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 3.94%. Following the global success of mega-events such as the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and Expo 2020 Dubai, momentum is building across the region as Saudi Arabia prepares to host the 2034 World Cup. Discussing the evolution and impact of these events, panellists including H.E. Khalid Jassim Al Midfa, Chairman, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority; Sebastien Doussin, Senior Vice President – Global Travel Services & Destination Management. Dnata and Noor Ahmad Hamid, CEO, Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), shared fascinating insights at ATM 2025, where the events industry was under the spotlight. The panel addressed how big-ticket events – so-called for their high value, cost and impact – have demonstrated their ability to attract millions of international visitors, boost hotel occupancy, stimulate infrastructure growth and generate long-term brand positioning for host destinations. Highlighting the importance of understanding the long-term strategic value of big-ticket events beyond immediate sales, H.E. Khalid Jassim Al Midfa commented: 'Big-ticket events provide a destination with an opportunity to establish brand positioning and exposure in a competitive global environment. These events play a vital role in supporting broader government objectives, but it is essential to invest in the right product for your destination.' Doussin reaffirmed the importance of large-scale events in destination positioning, referencing the growth of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the surge of international golfing tournaments throughout the UAE and the launch of NBA events in the capital. Commenting on the impact of technology on events, Doussin said: 'Technology has already changed big-ticket events, especially in terms of distribution and customer experience. All of the ticketing for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar was completely digital through the official event app, offering flexibility and ease of use. Ultimately, technology enables an event to become more seamless, easier and enjoyable.' Meanwhile, Hamid urged the industry to broaden the definition of big-ticket events to include exhibitions, conferences and cultural performances. He referenced Bangkok's weekly concerts, which are mainly K-pop driven, as examples of how live entertainment extends tourist stays. Supporting the panel's observations, the ATM Travel Trends report highlights the rising appeal of live entertainment and sports in influencing travel decisions. Leisure events were outlined as the top opportunity for tourism growth among 50% of industry experts, as consumer demand for in-person and cultural experiences has increased significantly in recent years. The trend of combining traditional leisure and business travel, or 'bleisure', has also accelerated as increased remote working and flexible working visas have enabled more people to live and work overseas. Building on this, business travellers are often extending their stays in destinations, creating a new opportunity in this rapidly expanding sector. The report also highlighted that business events (MICE) are emerging as a significant driver of tourism growth across the Middle East, complementing the region's thriving leisure sector. Global business travel reached a record US$1.4 trillion in 2024 and is projected to rise to US$2 trillion by 2030. The Middle East is well-positioned to capture a growing share of this lucrative market, increasing from approximately 2.5% in 2024 to over 3% by the end of the decade, supported by world-class infrastructure, a strategic location, and an expanding schedule of high-profile events. Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market , concluded: 'As big-ticket events continue to gain global prominence, their role in shaping the future of tourism, driving economic diversification and enhancing international reputation has never been more evident. The Middle East, with its strategic vision, world-class infrastructure and focus on innovation, is well-positioned to lead the next era of global event tourism.' Building on the success of its inaugural edition, IBTM@ATM will return to ATM 2026, which takes place at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 4-7 May 2026, with a dedicated zone within Hall 3, highlighting the show's strategic focus on the global business events sector. Designed to facilitate high-value connections, the zone allows business event suppliers to showcase, promote their destinations and services, and engage with pre-qualified international event planners, Professional Conference Organisers (PCOs), and associations through an exclusive hosted buyer programme. This specialised area will once again host the IBTM Stage, providing a comprehensive conference programme tailored to industry professionals, encouraging knowledge exchange and thought leadership. IBTM@ATM 2026 is set to be a vibrant hub for innovation, collaboration, and business growth in the global events industry. Now in its 33 rd year, Arabian Travel Market (ATM) is the leading global platform driving growth and innovation across every sector of travel and tourism. Held annually in Dubai – the gateway to global travel and tourism with its unmatched connectivity – ATM is where the energy of opportunity comes to life. More than just an event, ATM is a dynamic hub for industry communities, with forums, experiences, and networking that continue well beyond the show floor over the week. Now in a period of rapid expansion, ATM has grown 16% year on year, attracting over 55,000 travel professionals from 166 countries. About RX: RX is a global leader in events and exhibitions, leveraging industry expertise, data, and technology to build businesses for individuals, communities, and organisations. With a presence in 25 countries across 42 industry sectors, RX hosts approximately 350 events annually. RX is committed to creating an inclusive work environment for all our people. RX empowers businesses to thrive by leveraging data-driven insights and digital solutions. RX is part of RELX, a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. About RELX: RELX is a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. RELX serves customers in more than 180 countries and has offices in about 40 countries. It employs more than 36,000 people over 40% of whom are in North America. The shares of RELX PLC, the parent company, are traded on the London, Amsterdam and New York stock exchanges using the following ticker symbols: London: REL; Amsterdam: REN; New York: RELX. *Note: Current market capitalisation can be found at World Travel Market (WTM) portfolio comprises leading travel events and online portals across four continents. The events are: WTM London is the world's most influential travel & tourism event for the global travel community. The show is the ultimate destination for those seeking a macro view of the travel industry and a deeper understanding of the forces shaping it. WTM London is where influential travel leaders, buyers and high-profile travel companies gather to exchange ideas, drive innovation, and accelerate business outcomes. WTM Latin America takes place annually in the city of São Paulo and attracts around 20,000 tourism professionals during the three-day event. The event offers qualified content together with networking and business opportunities. In this its ninth edition – there have been eight face-to-face events along with a 100% virtual one, which was held in 2021 – WTM Latin America continued to focus on effective business generation, and achieved the advance booking of six thousand meetings that were held between buyers, travel agents and exhibitors in 2022. WTM Africa launched in 2014 in Cape Town, South Africa. In 2022, WTM Africa facilitated more than 7 thousand unique pre-scheduled appointments, an increase of more than 7% compared to 2019 and welcomed more than 6 thousand visitors (unaudited), the same number as in 2019. About ATW Connect: Africa Travel Week's digital arm, is a virtual hub packed to the seams with interesting content, industry news and insights, and the opportunity to hear from experts on a variety of topics in our new monthly webinar series. All with the aim to keep all of us in the travel and tourism industry connected. ATW Connect focuses on inbound and outbound markets for general leisure tourism, luxury travel and the MICE/business travel sector as well as travel technology. WTM Global Hub, is the WTM Portfolio online portal created to connect and support travel industry professionals around the world. The resource hub offers the latest guidance and knowledge to help exhibitors, buyers and others in the travel industry face the challenges of the global coronavirus pandemic. WTM Portfolio is tapping into its global network of experts to create content for the hub.
Egypt Independent
16 hours ago
- Egypt Independent
Egypt's tourism sector expected to generate approximately US$100 billion in revenue
Credit rating agency Fitch Solutions anticipates Egypt to generate approximately US$97 billion in tourism revenues by 2029, the privately-owned al-Mal newspaper reported on Monday. A recent report issued by the agency during the third quarter of this year, including its forecasts for the future of Egyptian tourism over the next five years, added that estimates indicate that the sector will generate revenues of US$17.5 billion by the end of this year, rising to $18.6 billion in 2026. Fitch explained that Egyptian tourism will achieve strong growth of 8.1 percent year-on-year, reaching $17.6 billion in 2025, compared to $16.2 billion last year, in line with the increase in tourist numbers. It pointed out that the tourism sector is expected to generate approximately $19.6 billion in 2027, surpassing the $20 billion mark in 2028, and reaching $20.9 billion in 2029. The report said that international tourism revenues in Egypt were negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the travel restrictions imposed at the time, leading to a decline to $4.9 billion in 2020, compared to $14.3 billion in 2019. Fitch explained that, over the coming years, improved consumer spending in Europe and the Middle East and North Africa will contribute to increased visitor revenues. According to the report, many tourists visiting Egypt are relatively wealthy travelers with high purchasing power, particularly from the UK, Germany, and the Gulf Cooperation Council. Egypt received approximately 8.7 million tourists during the first half of this year, a 22 percent increase compared to the same period last year, it noted. Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Sherif Fathy, stated that there has been a 22-23 percent increase in the volume of tourism revenues during the first six months of this year, compared to the same period in 2024.
