Latest news with #DubaiEconomyandTourism
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.
Mid East Info
29-04-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
Business events and festivals set the stage for socio-economic growth, according to experts at Arabian Travel Market
Representatives from Dubai Economy and Tourism, the Abu Dhabi Convention and Exhibition Bureau and Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority discussed the impact of events, festivals and conferences on the UAE's growth Speaking during IBTM@ATM, the discussion launched four days of insightful sessions which will explore the thriving business events industry Dubai, United Arab Emirates, April 2025: On the opening day of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) today, tourism leaders from the UAE were joined by representatives from the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) and the International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO) on the Business Events Stage, to examine how major events and festivals are driving socio-economic growth in the UAE. Moderated by Senthil Gopinath, CEO, ICCA, the panel featured Ahmed Al-Khaja, CEO, Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment, Dubai Economy and Tourism; Mubarak Al Shamsi, Director of Abu Dhabi Convention and Exhibition Bureau, Department of Culture and Tourism; Iyad Rasbey, VP – Destination Tourism Development, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority; and Martin Thomas Boyle, CEO, International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO). Together, they explored howevents are fostering socioeconomic growth and enhancing destination appeal across the Middle East region. Opening the session, Al-Khaja elaborated on the pivotal role that festivals in Dubai have played in shaping the city's cultural and economic landscape. Notably, he highlighted the Dubai Shopping Festival, which was launched in 1996, as a particularly influential event that not only attracts local residents but also draws tourists from around the world each year. Commenting on the events strategy for Abu Dhabi, Al Shamsi said: '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.' According to Rasbey , events have been key to Ras Al Khaimah's rising prominence: 'Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) is an important segment and has contributed significantly to our growth. Last year, Ras Al Khaimah achieved 40% growth, with MICE being the fourth largest segment contributing to this. 'It is vital for us to secure events that contribute to our growth and development. Examples of past events include the Global Citizen Forum, which attracted investors and high-net-worth individuals to the Emirate. In terms of tourism growth, hosting the Arab Aviation Summit enabled us to connect Ras Al Khaimah International Airport with 11 cities globally.' Elsewhere today, Fouad Talat, Regional Manager, John Bevan, CEO, dnata Travel Group and Amani O'Neill, Senior Public Policy Manager, Middle East, Airbnb, discussed the microtrends redefining travel. During the engaging session, the speakers covered trends including sleep tourism, dark tourism and coffee tourism, outlining how these trends are impacting global travel behaviours and shaping the way destinations evolve and adapt. During the discussion, the speakers discussed how tourism providers should adjust their marketing strategies to align with these trends and provided practical applications for incorporating microtrends into long-term planning. Tomorrow at ATM, the Business Events Stage will host an exclusive networking session where participants will have the opportunity to engage with prominent international and regional associations to foster strategic relationships, unlock collaboration opportunities and exchange high-value business leads. This week, ATM will showcase 2,800 exhibitors and the event is expected to host 55,000 attendees from around the world. Attendees will have the opportunity to gain insights from over 200 high-profile speakers across more than 70 conference sessions on the Global Stage, Future Stage and the new Business Events Stage and connect with industry professionals from over 161 countries. Now in its 32nd year, Arabian Travel Market (ATM) is the leading international travel and tourism event in the Middle East for inbound and outbound tourism professionals. Held annually at the Dubai World Trade Centre, ATM 2024 spanned 12 halls, making it the largest edition to date. With over 48,000 attendees and more than 35,000 visitors, including over 2,550 exhibitors and representatives from over 161 countries during last year's show, ATM remains a pivotal gathering for the global travel and tourism industry. Arabian Travel Market is part of Arabian Travel Week. #ATMDubai Arabian Travel Week is a week-long festival of events from 28 April to 4 May, alongside Arabian Travel Market 2025. Providing a renewed focus for the Middle East's travel and tourism sector, it includes the all-New Business Events @ATM focusing on MICE, Start-Up Competition, influencers' events, GBTA Business Travel Forums, and ATM Travel Tech. It also features ATM Buyer Networking and a series of country forums. 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.
Zawya
28-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Business events and festivals set the stage for socio-economic growth, according to experts at Arabian Travel Market
Representatives from Dubai Economy and Tourism, the Abu Dhabi Convention and Exhibition Bureau and Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority discussed the impact of events, festivals and conferences on the UAE's growth Speaking during IBTM@ATM, the discussion launched four days of insightful sessions which will explore the thriving business events industry Dubai, United Arab Emirates: On the opening day of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) today, tourism leaders from the UAE were joined by representatives from the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) and the International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO) on the Business Events Stage, to examine how major events and festivals are driving socio-economic growth in the UAE. Moderated by Senthil Gopinath, CEO, ICCA, the panel featured Ahmed Al-Khaja, CEO, Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment, Dubai Economy and Tourism; Mubarak Al Shamsi, Director of Abu Dhabi Convention and Exhibition Bureau, Department of Culture and Tourism; Iyad Rasbey, VP - Destination Tourism Development, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority; and Martin Thomas Boyle, CEO, International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO). Together, they explored howevents are fostering socioeconomic growth and enhancing destination appeal across the Middle East region. Opening the session, Al-Khaja elaborated on the pivotal role that festivals in Dubai have played in shaping the city's cultural and economic landscape. Notably, he highlighted the Dubai Shopping Festival, which was launched in 1996, as a particularly influential event that not only attracts local residents but also draws tourists from around the world each year. Commenting on the events strategy for Abu Dhabi, Al Shamsi said: '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.' According to Rasbey, events have been key to Ras Al Khaimah's rising prominence: 'Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) is an important segment and has contributed significantly to our growth. Last year, Ras Al Khaimah achieved 40% growth, with MICE being the fourth largest segment contributing to this. 'It is vital for us to secure events that contribute to our growth and development. Examples of past events include the Global Citizen Forum, which attracted investors and high-net-worth individuals to the Emirate. In terms of tourism growth, hosting the Arab Aviation Summit enabled us to connect Ras Al Khaimah International Airport with 11 cities globally.' Elsewhere today, Fouad Talat, Regional Manager, John Bevan, CEO, dnata Travel Group and Amani O'Neill, Senior Public Policy Manager, Middle East, Airbnb, discussed the microtrends redefining travel. During the engaging session, the speakers covered trends including sleep tourism, dark tourism and coffee tourism, outlining how these trends are impacting global travel behaviours and shaping the way destinations evolve and adapt. During the discussion, the speakers discussed how tourism providers should adjust their marketing strategies to align with these trends and provided practical applications for incorporating microtrends into long-term planning. Tomorrow at ATM, the Business Events Stage will host an exclusive networking session where participants will have the opportunity to engage with prominent international and regional associations to foster strategic relationships, unlock collaboration opportunities and exchange high-value business leads. This week, ATM will showcase 2,800 exhibitors and the event is expected to host 55,000 attendees from around the world. Attendees will have the opportunity to gain insights from over 200 high-profile speakers across more than 70 conference sessions on the Global Stage, Future Stage and the new Business Events Stage and connect with industry professionals from over 161 countries. Now in its 32nd year, Arabian Travel Market (ATM) is the leading international travel and tourism event in the Middle East for inbound and outbound tourism professionals. Held annually at the Dubai World Trade Centre, ATM 2024 spanned 12 halls, making it the largest edition to date. With over 48,000 attendees and more than 35,000 visitors, including over 2,550 exhibitors and representatives from over 161 countries during last year's show, ATM remains a pivotal gathering for the global travel and tourism industry. Arabian Travel Market is part of Arabian Travel Week. #ATMDubai ATM takes place from 28 April to 1 May 2025, Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai Arabian Travel Week is a week-long festival of events from 28 April to 4 May, alongside Arabian Travel Market 2025. Providing a renewed focus for the Middle East's travel and tourism sector, it includes the all-New Business Events @ATM focusing on MICE, Start-Up Competition, influencers' events, GBTA Business Travel Forums, and ATM Travel Tech. It also features ATM Buyer Networking and a series of country forums. 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. Next event: 5 to 7 November 2024 at ExCel London. 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. Next event: 14 to 16 April 2025 – Expo Center Norte, SP, Brazil. 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. Next event: 9 to 11 April 2025 – Cape Town International Convention Centre, Cape Town 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.
Khaleej Times
28-04-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Why hotel occupancy rates in Dubai are over 80% even in summer months
Dubai's tourism sector is breaking seasonal stereotypes, maintaining an impressive hotel occupancy rate of over 80 per cent across both summer and winter months. With more than 150,000 hotel rooms available, the city continues to thrive year-round, driven not only by leisure travellers but also by a robust calendar of corporate and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) events during the traditionally slower summer months. This was revealed at a session — How Global Events and Festivals Drive Socio-Economic Growth — at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) underway at the Dubai World Trade Centre. In response to a question by Khaleej Times, Ahmad Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment, part of Dubai Economy and Tourism (DET), emphasised that the city's events and business landscape no longer peak only in winter. 'Many believe Dubai's events season is limited to the cooler months, but summer is equally vibrant, fuelled by a surge in corporate events, attractive seasonal offers, and steady trade growth year after year,' he said. How big events benefit entire nation Ahmad Al Khaja added, 'If there is a big event such as the Expo 2020…the magnitude of the event is positively impacting the entire country. Even in leisure events like Coldplay concert in Abu Dhabi, visitors coming for such an event to the capital come and visit Dubai and then Dubai benefits from it.' Dubai's ambitious Economic Agenda D33 aims to double the city's economy by 2033, positioning it among the top three global cities for living, investing, and working. A significant component of this strategy is enhancing the tourism sector, with initiatives like the multiple-entry five-year tourist visa. This visa allows tourists to enter the UAE multiple times on self-sponsorship, staying up to 90 days per visit, extendable for another 90 days, thereby encouraging longer and more flexible stays Industry experts reiterated that even Ramadan, typically considered a quieter season for travel, saw strong visitor numbers, further proving Dubai's ability to maintain momentum across all periods. Usual season in Abu Dhabi also Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi is also adopting a similar approach as Dubai and encouraging MICE events even during summers. Mubarak Al Shamshi, Director of the Abu Dhabi Convention and Exhibition Bureau, explained that during summer months — when international associations often pause activities — the capital has shifted its focus towards corporate events and incentive travel. 'We have worked closely with stakeholders to launch targeted campaigns during the summer. This year, even Ramadan coinciding with holiday times didn't affect our business — numbers remained strong,' Al Shamshi noted. 'The mandate is to involve local communities to do so and involving different stakehoders. We are involving Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and various services providers (tourism-related) and how they can develop, explore and expose themselves to international communities.' Even Ras Al Khaimah has been breaking the tourism record with 1.28 million overnight visitors last year. Iyad Rasbey, destination tourism development vice-president at the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA), said, 'In Ras Al Khaimah, the temperature is about 10 degrees cooler compared to the other emirates making it a popular spot where individuals and groups enjoy spending time at unique venues. The UAE is an all-year-round destination, ideal for both leisure and business.'
Khaleej Times
15-03-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Dubai trade licence: Types, application process, verification explained
Do you wish to set up a company in Dubai? Or are you a home-based business owner who wants to work in the emirate? A trade licence by Dubai Economy and Tourism allows owners to legally conduct business activities in the emirate. In order to do so, applicants must first request initial approval, book a trade name, and then apply for a licence. Here are the documents, fees required, and steps to apply. You can apply through the Invest in Dubai portal, or through nearby service centres. Visit the website, and click on 'setting up a business' from the upper menu. Then, click on 'business set-up services', and select the service you wish to apply for. You can then choose to apply through the portal, or click on service centres to access a list. Request for initial approval The initial approval is the first step towards obtaining a trade licence. This can be done before or after reserving a trade name. This initial step helps you define economic activities and the licence partners. Documents required If the business has a parent company, then these additional documents are needed: The parent company's board resolution to open a branch in Dubai Letter of authorisation of the managing director Copy of the parent company's commercial registration certificate Copy of the parent company's memorandum of association (MOA) Copy of the parent company's licence Book a trade name The trade name is an official document that confirms the name of your project or business. It will be used in all contracts and other legal documents to refer to the business. To register for a trade name in Dubai, there are certain guidelines to keep in mind: The name should be more than three letters, according to a DET call centre agent The name should be free from obscene or indecent words The name can not include 'Allah' or 'God' or contain any divine attributes Applicants must not use family names, tribe names or other individuals' names - unless the name belongs to the licensee. The trade name must be logical and reflect your economic activity accurately Names should be written literally and not translated. If any name is similar to one that already exist, DET has the right to cancel it. Business owners cannot use any restricted names which include global political organisations or religious sectarian organisations. According to a DET agent, if the trade name is an English one, the fee will be Dh2,000 extra. Business owners must present their Emirates ID for trade name reservation Issue a trade licence There are three types of trade licences that can be issued: normal licence, instant licence, and eTrader licence. Normal licence: A Memorandum of Association (which can be obtained electronically or manually) and a site lease contract. Instant licence: This licence is issued for activities that do not require external approvals, and can be obtained within five minutes. If the owner issues a memorandum of association, he/she can also get a virtual site for the first year. A virtual site means the business owner can operate without requiring a physical location, for the first year. Under this licence, business owners can also access Dubai Chamber membership for commercial activities; establishment card from the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs (GDRFA); and, establishment card from The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, with the option to employ three people. This final card is available for the following legal forms: Limited Liability Company (L.L.C), Limited Liability Company Single Owner (L.L.C – SO), Sole Establishment, and Civil Company. eTrader licence: A sole establishment licence for Dubai home-based businesses that have been issued with the trade name. An eTrader licence for commercial activities (such as trading) will only be issued to UAE and GCC nationals, according to a DET call centre agent. This licence can be issued to expats for some professional activities (some activities in the service sector). However, this does not include food and cooking-based businesses, as this licence will be issued to UAE and GCC nationals only, the agent added. Documents required Documents required differ based on the licence that the applicant wishes to apply for. For a normal licence, approvals from other government agencies (if required), along with MoA and site lease contract For an instant licence, unified number or ID number For eTrader licence, ID number Cost The fee for issuing the initial approval is Dh120. The fee for booking a trade name is Dh620. The fee for issuing a trade licence depends on the type of activities, and the specific licence required. For an eTrader licence, the cost is Dh1370 (subject to kind of activity). Dh1070 will be taken for licence fees, and knowledge and innovation fees along with Dh300 for Dubai Chamber membership fees Trade licence verification If you wish to verify the trade licence of a company, visit the DET website, and click on e-services; then, choose licence information. You can then verify the validity of a trade licence by searching for the company through its English or Arabic name, or its licence number. The website will give you a company profile, which includes details such as:
