Experts highlight vital role of innovation at ATM 2024
- 08 May 2024
Inayat-ur-Rahman / Sajjad Ahmed, Gulf Today
As passenger numbers in the Middle East are predicted to reach 429 million this year, representing a 5.4 percent increase on 2019 figures, a panel of aviation experts convened at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) to discuss how the market is changing, outlining their predictions for the future of air travel.
The session, titled “Looking Skyward for Innovation: How Technology is Disrupting Aviation”, was moderated by travel expert Mark Frary and included panellists from Cirium, IATA, AviationXLab, and Riyadh Air.
Research from IATA shows that international passenger traffic increased by 20 percent in March 2024 compared with the same month last year. According to Kashif Khalid, Regional Director, Africa & Middle East, IATA, innovation is essential for enabling the industry to accommodate this significant growth in air traffic.
Khalid said, “Without innovation, the future will be very challenging. We cannot continue building bigger infrastructure with the level of passengers we anticipate, so we have to look at how we manage passengers and cargo differently through digital solutions and innovation. On the ground, the industry is working on several innovations, not only to make aviation more sustainable but also to use infrastructure more efficiently. One of these solutions is One ID, where we digitalise tokens for passengers, which enables us to facilitate passengers seamlessly. How we use the traditional infrastructure of airports is going to change dramatically.”
IATA One ID is a digital identity initiative that aims to streamline and enhance passenger travel. The groundbreaking system consolidates a variety of travel documents, such as passports, tickets, and boarding passes, into a single digital token, eliminating the need for multiple physical documents. By providing a unified and efficient identity management solution, IATA One ID enhances security, simplifies check-in processes, and facilitates seamless travel across airports.
During the panel discussion, Kevin Hightower, Vice President of Product, Cirium, stated that data sharing is the key to increasing efficiency in the aviation space and helping the industry accommodate increased demand. Hightower said, “That which is measured can be improved. As we share more data across boundaries, we will start to see the benefits today. Where a decision used to take hours, technologies such as Generative AI enable us to make decisions in seconds.”
Al Bandar Rotana
Al Bandar Rotana, a five-star hotel with a prime waterfront, sees Arabian Travel Market (ATM) exhibition, which featured around 2,300 exhibitors this year, is an ideal platform for the hospitality sector in Dubai.
Ayman Ashor, Cluster General Manager, Al Bandar Rotana and Arjaan by Rotana mentioned that ATM is a Launchpad for travel and tourism sector and local and global investors.
Ashor noted that he met key partners during the event and shared valuable information and a lot of new packages and competitive rates with them in order to grab the attention of the clients and groups to visit the city and his property.
Al Bandar Rotana presented appreciation trophies to the top producing tour operators and partners as a token of appreciation and long term commitment.
Ashor added that their partners are key to their business growth. Ashor mentioned that they recently hosted a strategic roadshow through three key European markets: France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. This prominent tour aimed at strengthening partnerships and promoting Dubai as a premier destination for European travellers. Ashor during his tour visited France, Belgium, and the Netherlands, engaging with top-tier travel agencies and group organisers to boost tourism flows to Dubai.
Meanwhile, Dubai welcomed 5.18m international overnight visitors in the first three months of 2024, 11 per cent higher than the first quarter of last year.
HMH
The Hospitality Management Holding (HMH), pioneer in the hotel management in the Middle East and North Africa, has taken the centre stage in the mega event of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2024 ongoing at the Dubai International and Convention Centre. The four-day show, kicked off on May 6 with over 2,000 exhibitors from more than 160 countries, is expected to see a huge footfall of not less than 50,000 global visitors.
Hospitality Management Holding (HMH), a renowned name in the hospitality industry, has made a participated at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2024, taking place from May 6 to May 9. With a staggering lineup of over 2,000 exhibitors representing more than 160 countries, this year’s ATM promises to be an unparalleled showcase of global hospitality excellence, drawing an estimated 50,000 visitors from around the world.
HMH is proud to take center stage at this prestigious event, showcasing its remarkable growth and expansion, particularly in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). With a commitment to excellence and a vision for unparalleled guest experiences, HMH has seen a remarkable surge in its portfolio, solidifying its position in the industry.
In 2023, HMH boasted a total of 1,162 keys across its properties. Fast forward to 2024, and that number has more than doubled, reaching an impressive 2,476 keys. This extraordinary growth is a testament to HMH’s dedication to providing exceptional hospitality and exceeding guest expectations.
But the excitement doesn’t stop there. HMH is gearing up for a series of grand openings, each promising to elevate the hospitality landscape in their respective regions. Among these highly anticipated openings is the Corp Yanbu Hotel & Residence, slated to welcome guests by June 2024, offering 104 keys of unparalleled luxury and comfort.
In the pipeline for Q4 2024 is the Corp Madinah Hotel, featuring 150 keys of exquisite accommodations designed to provide guests with a memorable stay in the heart of Madinah. And looking ahead to Q1 2025, HMH is set to unveil the Corp Makkah Al Naseem Hotel, adding a staggering 460 keys to its already impressive portfolio in Makkah. But HMH’s expansion doesn’t end there.
Latest Travel Services: EaseMyTrip.com, a leading online travel tech platform, participating at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2024 to make a substantial impact on the UAE travel market and share its expertise with industry professionals and enthusiast.
As a pinnacle event in the travel and tourism industry, ATM attracts professionals and businesses worldwide, providing EaseMyTrip with an ideal platform to showcase its latest features and an extensive array of exceptional travel services.
EaseMyTrip’s participation at ATM 2024 unveils its “EXPLORE Bharat” initiative which is designed to promote India’s rich cultural tapestry, heritage sites, vibrant festivals, and offbeat travel experiences. Through “EXPLORE Bharat,” EaseMyTrip invites travellers from UAE and the Middle East to embark on a journey of discovery and immersion in India’s unique charm.
Rikant Pittie, Co-Founder, EaseMyTrip.com, said, “We are excited to present ‘EXPLORE Bharat’ at ATM 2024. This initiative reflects our commitment to promoting India as a top travel destination and showcasing its diverse offerings to a global audience. We invite attendees of ATM 2024 to visit our booth and discover the wonders of India through ‘EXPLORE Bharat. We are thrilled to be part of ATM 2024 as it signifies the dynamism and potential of the travel industry. It’s a fantastic opportunity to showcase EaseMyTrip’s innovative solutions and contribute to the dialogue shaping the future of travel.”
According to Rikant Pittie, “The Arabian travel industry is witnessing remarkable growth, driven by factors such as technological advancements, evolving consumer preferences, and a renewed focus on sustainable travel. We are keen to explore collaborations and initiatives that enhance travel experiences while promoting responsible tourism.”
EaseMyTrip showcases its expertise at Stand AS 7220 in the India Pavilion, Booth no. 7. Visitors can look forward to engaging with EaseMyTrip’s team and discovering a range of innovative promotions, services, and offers.
Nomadic’s latest solutions: Celebrating a year of transformative presence in the Middle East, Nomadic, the award-winning business traveller offering by Fragomen, is thrilled to announce its debut at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2024 and introduced solutions to streamline global business travel. Nomadic’s participation underscores its pivotal role in this expanding market.
Over the past year, Nomadic has seen exponential growth in its operations and services in the Middle East, marked by a 62% increase in application filings and an expanded operational footprint in the MENA region. Leveraging technology and expertise, Nomadic offers cutting-edge solutions, including an innovative pre-travel compliance assessment, a unique traveller profile empowered by GPS and Robotic Process Automation (RPA), aimed at streamlining and securing the business travel process.
“Marking our first anniversary in the Middle East at ATM 2024 signifies our commitment to revolutionising business travel. Our journey from a budding team to over threefold growth is a testament to our dedication and the trust our clients place in us,” stated Ali Haider, Director of Nomadic Middle East. “Our technology not only simplifies travel but ensures compliance and efficiency, setting a new standard in the industry.”
At the Arabian Travel Market 2024, attendees will have the opportunity to explore Nomadic’s innovative solutions aimed at transforming the landscape of business travel. The brand is showcasing key offerings such as its pre-travel compliance assessment and a distinctive traveller profile that benefits from GPS functionality and Robotic Process Automation (RPA). With the support of Fragomen’s comprehensive immigration services and data from over 170 countries, Nomadic’s platform offers a secure method for storing travel history and data, thereby reducing the need for repeated information entry. Its technology is designed to ensure compliance with immigration regulations through real-time location tracking and automatic visa requirement updates. Additionally, Nomadic’s RPA capability significantly streamlines the visa application process to a mere four minutes, leveraging existing traveller data to minimize administrative tasks and improve process accuracy.