Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2018

Dubai 22-25 April 2018

Sunday 22nd 15:00 - 15:45  in the  ATM Global Stage (150 seats)

Emma E Forest UAE's green tourism in spotlight at Arabian Travel Market in The National

The Hospitality Sector the next 25 years 

25 years is a longtime in tourism and hospitality, in the 25th year of ATM we have brought together an eminent panel to share with us their views about how the hospitality sector will address the environmental challenges of carbon, water and waste, the growth of the experiential economy and the demand for a more authentic local experience with implications for employment and the destination experience. .As management guru, Peter Drucker put it, “The best way to predict the future is to create it.” We have brought together people who are making a different future for the hospitality industry in the region.

Moderator Harold Goodwin WTM Responsible Tourism Advisor
Maitha bint Saif Al Mahrouqi, Undersecretary of the Sultanate of Oman’s Ministry of Tourism
HE. Mr. Zayed R. Alzayani, Minister of Industry, Commerce & Tourism, Bahrain
Inge Huijbrechts Global Vice President Responsible Business at Radisson Hotels presentation
Peter Stubbs, Director of Compliance, Group & Corporate, Jumeirah Group

23 April 11:30-12:15 Showcase Theatre

• Taking Responsibility for Environmental Impacts - Water and Energy

Since the first UN conference on the Human Environment in 1972 there has been a great deal of talk about sustainability. There are some major initiatives in the Middle East where people are taking responsibility and showing leadership in addressing the challenges of reducing water consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. The UN Sustainable Development Goals are demanding the government and businesses report their successes progress - is this an opportunity for MENA countries to get credit for their achievements?

Moderator: Harold Goodwin WTM Responsible Tourism Advisor
Iftikhar Hamdani, the cluster general manager of Ramada Hotel & Suites Ajman, Ramada Beach Hotel Ajman,  Rotana Group presentation
Aaron McGrath, General Manager, Six Senses Zighy Bay presentation
Dina Mustafa, Head of Sustainability Operations, Sustainability Expo 2020 presentation

24 April 11:30-12:15 Showcase Theatre

• The commercial and socio-cultural advantages of the Experiential Economy
  Over the last ten year there has been substantial growth in demand for experiences, increasingly consumers are looking for experience for money. Very few hotels are destinations in their own right, leisure travellers are looking for experiences which they cannot have in their own country. Those experiences may be international sporting events, theme parks or performances but equally valuable are those experiences of the local culture, environment and way of life. It is these experiences of local culture, food and wildlife which extend the length of stay and create local economic benefits.

Moderator Harold Goodwin WTM Responsible Tourism Advisor
Tamara Withers WWF Arab Emirates presentation 
Ahmed Al Rayyes, Chief Commercial Officer, Dubai Parks and Resorts
Alaa AlShroogi, Director - Visitor Enhancement, Visitor Experience, Expo 2020 
Nada Badran Cultural Tourism and Food Nada  Wander With Nada  presentation 

25 April 11:30-12:15 Showcase Theatre

• Developing Tourism Skills and Employment Opportunities in Travel & Tourism
  The MENA countries have growing populations and large numbers of young people looking for meaningful and well-paid employment. The travel and tourism sector offers a wide range of employment and entrepreneurial opportunities for young people. There are many opportunities in rural areas where the sector can create worthwhile employment for young people removing an incentive to move away from their communities to the cities. This panel composed of educators and trainers and employers will focus on training the next generation to make travel, tourism and hospitality their career - and how it can be made attractive to young people and their parents.

Moderator Chris Warren ICRT Australia 
Koray Genckul, Vice President, HR Operations, MEA & Turkey,  Hilton Hotels
Heid van der Watt, Director Better Tourism Africa presentation 
Samir Arora, General Manager, The Retreat Palm Dubai MGallery by Sofitel presentation 
Aline Barhouche, Area Director Human Resources for Middle-East, Turkey and Africa, Radisson Hotel Group presentation