ATM 2023 to focus on ‘Working Towards Net Zero’
Mita Srinivasan
10x Industry
Published:

ATM 2023 to focus on ‘Working Towards Net Zero’

The thirtieth edition of the travel show aims to explore how innovative sustainable travel trends are likely to evolve, allowing delegates to identify growth strategies within key vertical sectors, while providing a platform for regional experts to explore a sustainable future ahead of COP28, which will take place in November 2023 at Expo City Dubai.

Arabian Travel Market (ATM), scheduled for May 2023, will host an array of global and regional policymakers and a raft of private-sector leaders to explore how the tourism sector is ‘Working Towards Net Zero’. Speakers will address a broad range of sector-critical issues throughout the four days of the event, discussing a variety of approaches, policies and technologies with the potential to shape an economically, socially and environmentally sustainable travel sector for future generations.

Ministers from the UAE, Bahrain, Oman, Jordan, Jamaica and Spain will join a host of senior figures from the private sector to showcase sustainable innovations, share knowledge and best practice, and explore opportunities and challenges along the road to net zero.

The thirtieth edition of the show aims to explore how innovative sustainable travel trends are likely to evolve, allowing delegates to identify growth strategies within key vertical sectors, while providing a platform for regional experts to explore a sustainable future ahead of COP28, which will take place in November 2023 at Expo City Dubai.

To mark the thirtieth edition of the show, Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME for ATM, and her team will unveil a dedicated sustainability pledge that has been designed to reinforce Reed Exhibitions’ commitment to the delivery of sustainable events. In addition to setting out the ATM’s journey towards net zero, this pledge will be supplemented by a new playbook that will offer participants a framework within which to mitigate their environmental impact before, during and after the show, while offering an operational guide for ATM as it works towards net zero by 2030.

The conference will also feature a sustainability category at its annual exhibitor awards for the first time. Exhibiting organisations will be recognised based on the extent to which they have considered the environmental impact of their stands, as well as their efforts to reduce their carbon footprint.

Curtis said, “We intend to use ATM 2023 to address one of the most significant challenges facing our sector, in line with our theme. We are delighted that such a diverse selection of ministerial and industry speakers will be joining us. We look forward to learning how they are working to achieve net zero within their respective tourism markets, as our industry comes together to showcase the cutting-edge innovations and solutions that are driving the next generation of sustainable travel in the Middle East and beyond.”

ATM’s brand-new Sustainability Hub, meanwhile, will feature sessions dedicated to the latest sustainable travel trends and innovations. It will also offer the backdrop for the ATM 2023 Start-up Competition, an event hosted by conference partner Plug and Play that will see entrepreneurs go head-to-head in a ‘Sustainable Tech Pitch Battle’.

To supplement the show’s sustainable theme, the Global Stage will host a range of sessions focused on pivotal industry issues such as hotels and hospitality, aviation and transport, MICE and business travel, investment, responsible tourism, workforce diversification, and emerging sectors such as attractions, cruises, wellness and cultural tourism.