Travelers today do not want to be part of the crowd – they crave new destinations to explore which offer unique experiences, personalized to their tastes and expectations, according to research published by Colliers International.
Adding to this, a study by digital payment firm Visa revealed residents in the UAE are among the world’s top spenders when they travel abroad, with an average spend of around USD 2,722 (AED10,000) during their last international trip.
In line with these figures, Reed Travel Exhibitions, organizer of the annual Arabian Travel Market (ATM) showcase in Dubai, which will take place at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 28 April – 1 May 2019, has announced that it will host its first consumer day – ATM Holiday Shopper – as part of its line-up of special focus events.
Taking place on Saturday 27th April – the day before the official opening of ATM – the event will showcase over 30 travel and hospitality exhibitors from both regional and international destinations who will be offering a wide range of attractive travel and tourism discounts and deals for consumers attending the show.
Danielle Curtis, exhibition director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said: “In direct response to industry feedback and consumer demand, we are proud to introduce a new and exclusive consumer event to ATM 2019. Whether simply looking for a deal on the Eid break or planning a long-haul getaway, ATM Holiday Shopper is designed to offer the very best discounts and deals. Talking to the experts face to face will also allow attendees to learn about a range of emerging and unexplored destinations and activities from destinations around the world.”
While international travel will be a key focus, ATM Holiday Shopper will also offer a range of discounts and deals from within the UAE and of course the wider GCC region – with a number of hotels, leisure and cultural activities, spas and F&B outlets within Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the Northern Emirates as well as Oman and Saudi Arabia scheduled to exhibit.
The research by Visa on spending for future trips, including the booking stage as well as expenditure at their chosen destination, revealed residents from Saudi Arabia came out on top with a predicted average spend of US$4,800 (AED 17,600) on their next trip. Kuwait also featured in the top spenders, with a projected average spend of US$3,474 (AED 12,760), while travelers from the UAE plan to spend US$3,430 (AED 12,600) – more than the global median which is estimated at US$2,443 (AED 8,975).
“We are increasingly seeing the majority of outbound travel from the GCC countries taking place during summer as travelers actively seek cooler climates. European countries as well as destinations such as Georgia, Serbia, Azerbaijan and Thailand have been cited as some of the most popular destinations for UAE residents,” Curtis said.
“What we are seeing today, is a focus on great deals, however, it is important to note that GCC travelers are unlikely to compromise on the quality of the offering or the activities catering for both children and adults.”
The event will also feature a number of talks and presentations designed to provide travelers with an in-depth knowledge on a range of travel destinations and tour packages that cover all major attractions within any one country – as well as information on visa compliance and travel insurance.
Attendees can immerse themselves in faraway cultures with VR activations and enjoy a range of family entertainment throughout the day including cultural displays, theme park characters to meet, calligraphy, henna and falconry amongst many other activities.
