Latest news with #BusinessEventsStage
Daily Tribune
29-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Business Travel Surges
TDT| Dubai Business travel spending across the Middle East is projected to grow by 6.1 percent in 2025, underlining the region's growing influence in reshaping global corporate travel trends, experts revealed at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025 in Dubai. Speaking at the IBTM@ATM Business Events Stage, travel and tourism leaders highlighted how the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are leading the regional recovery, driven by major economic projects, increased connectivity, and evolving business travel priorities. According to the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), the Middle East has performed better than any other region globally, with business travel spending now 19.4 percent higher than pre-pandemic levels. The region's estimated spend reached $18.1 billion in 2024, with strong growth expected to continue through 2025. Catherine Logan, Regional Senior Vice President for GBTA, noted that while business travel remains vital worldwide, the ways in which companies manage travel are undergoing major change. 'The Middle East, especially the GCC, is responding proactively to global pressures by balancing innovation, economic development, and sustainability,' she said. Ciaran Kelly, Managing Director for FCM Travel in the Middle East and Africa, pointed to the sheer scale of ongoing public and private sector projects across the region as a major growth engine. 'Flights between key hubs like Dubai and Riyadh are heavily booked, and hotel occupancy rates across the region are among the highest globally, at around 70 to 80 percent,' he said. Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director at Arabian Travel Market, stressed that understanding evolving travel behaviours is crucial for businesses and destinations across the Gulf. 'The insights shared at IBTM@ATM help organisations identify future opportunities and adapt to the fast-evolving business travel landscape,' she said. The Business Events Stage at ATM continues through 30th April, with sessions covering AI integration into events, strategies for achieving net-zero carbon targets, emerging outbound markets such as China, and the future of MICE travel in a digitally transforming world. With major initiatives such as Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, the UAE's expansion of aviation and tourism hubs, and Qatar's growing role in global conferences and exhibitions, the GCC is poised to reinforce its position as a key driver of business travel growth in the years ahead.
Daily Tribune
29-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Middle East Events Surge
TDT| Dubai Major events, festivals, and conferences are becoming key drivers of socio-economic growth across the Middle East, tourism leaders said at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025 in Dubai. Speaking on the opening day at the Business Events Stage, representatives from Dubai Economy and Tourism, the Abu Dhabi Convention and Exhibition Bureau, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, and international bodies like the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) and the International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO) agreed that events are playing a transformative role in strengthening the region's economies, enhancing global appeal, and creating long-term legacies. Ahmed Al-Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment, noted that iconic events such as the Dubai Shopping Festival have helped shape not only Dubai's cultural and economic identity but have also contributed to positioning the region as a world-class destination for events tourism. In Abu Dhabi, Mubarak Al Shamsi highlighted how hosting major exhibitions and conferences aligns with national development plans such as Vision 2030, focusing on sectors like healthcare, innovation, sustainability, and energy. 'Our strategy is not just about numbers; it's about building lasting economic and knowledge legacies,' he said. Iyad Rasbey, Vice President of Destination Tourism Development at Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, emphasised that business events have been a catalyst for growth across emerging destinations in the Gulf. 'MICE tourism now represents one of the most important contributors to Ras Al Khaimah's expansion, helping us connect globally and attract high-net-worth visitors,' he said. The trend is being felt across the Middle East, where a surge in tourism-focused investments and a strategic push towards hosting global summits, cultural events, and industry conventions are reshaping the region's future. Elsewhere during ATM, leaders from dnata Travel Group and Airbnb discussed microtrends such as sleep tourism, dark tourism and coffee tourism, advising tourism providers across the Middle East to adapt their marketing strategies to tap into evolving traveller behaviours.
