Research from Colliers International, in partnership with Arabian Travel
Market (ATM), predicts the number of Indian visitors travelling to the UAE will
increase by 770,000 between 2020 and 2021, while arrivals from Saudi Arabia
will increase 240,000, Philippines and UK both 150,000 and Pakistan 140,000,
during the same time period.
An additional 3 million international visitors are expected to visit the UAE during Expo 2020, with arrivals from India, Saudi Arabia, Philippines, UK and Pakistan driving this influx, according to the latest data released ahead of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2020, which takes place at Dubai World Trade Centre from Sunday 19 – Wednesday 22 April 2020.
Looking to acquire their share of these high-growth markets at ATM 2020, will be the tourism boards from the UAE’s seven emirates with major exhibits from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain as well as a variety of other UAE exhibitors including Emirates, Emaar Hospitality Group and Abu Dhabi Airports.
Danielle Curtis, Exhibition
Director ME, Arabian Travel Market (ATM), said: “Not only will Expo 2020
increase international arrivals to the UAE and showcase the country as a major
global tourism hub – it has also provided the country with the opportunity to
expand its world-class hospitality offerings; upgrade its airports and
transport infrastructure; and develop an expansive array or new retail, leisure
and entertainment facilities as well as diversifying its key source markets by
reaching out to new and emerging markets.”
At present, the Middle East and Africa remains the overall
top source market for the UAE, however, there appears to be a changing dynamic
as we look ahead, with the Asia pacific market set to become the largest source
of arrivals in the UAE – witnessing a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of
9.8% until 2024 – driven in large by the populous Indian subcontinent.
“The
introduction of a new multi-entry five-year tourist visa will not only drive
more frequent travel to the country and longer stays but it will also allow for
a whole host of new airline routes, making the country more accessible to a
host of first time tourists from emerging markets – providing a boost to
overall tourist spend and further stimulating the UAE’s GDP impact,” Curtis
added.
As the UAE
gears up to welcome 25 million visitors for Expo 2020, the country’s
hospitality sector will play a major role in ensuring the success of the global
event, as well as securing a significant number of travellers who will be keen
to return to the emirates for a visit post-Expo.
According to the latest data from STR, Dubai had more than
120,000 hotel rooms as of February 2020, with a goal of completing 160,000
hotel rooms by October 2020 to meet the anticipated demand generated by Expo
2020.
Despite average occupancy rates reaching 73% – one of the
highest in the world – during the first nine months of 2019, Dubai Tourism
reported a decline in RevPar from AED 337 in 2018 to AED 295 in 2019, primarily
driven by softening ADR – which dropped from AED 451 in 2018 to AED 400 in 2019
– in response to increased competition from new hotel supply.
As we look ahead to the next 12 months, the outlook for the
hospitality sector in the UAE is positive, with demand in the market strong –
backed by an increasing number of arrivals from key and emerging markets as a
result of Expo 2020 which is now a mere few months away and the imminent
introduction of a new tourist visa.
“And, looking to ATM 2020, with exhibitors from the UAE
occupying more than 45% of overall stand space on the show floor, we look
forward to facilitating business opportunities that will drive the
unprecedented level of development planned for the emirate’s hospitality and
tourism market,” Curtis added.
ATM,
considered by industry professionals as a barometer for the Middle East and
North Africa tourism sector, welcomed almost 40,000 people to its 2019 event
with representation from 150 countries. With over 100 exhibitors making their
debut, ATM 2019 showcased the largest ever exhibition from Asia.
Adopting
Events for Tourism Growth as the official show theme, ATM 2020 will build on
the success of this year’s edition with a host of seminar sessions discussing
the impact events have on tourism growth in the region while inspiring the
travel and hospitality industry about the next generation of events.
For more news about ATM, please visit: https://arabiantravelmarket.wtm.com/media-centre/Press-Releases/
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About Arabian Travel Market (ATM)
Arabian Travel Market (ATM) is the leading, international travel and tourism event in the Middle East – introducing both inbound and outbound tourism professionals to over 2,500 of the most breath-taking destinations, attractions and brands as well as the very latest cutting-edge technologies. Attracting almost 40,000 industry professionals, with representation from 150 countries, ATM prides itself on being the hub of all travel and tourism ideas – providing a platform to discuss insights on the ever-changing industry, share innovations and unlock endless business opportunities over the four days. New to ATM 2020 will be Travel Forward, a high-end travel and hospitality innovation event, dedicated conference summits and ATM buyer forums for key source markets India, Saudi Arabia and Russia as well as the inaugural Arival Dubai @ ATM – a dedicated in-destination forum. www.arabiantravelmarket.wtm.com.
Next event: Sunday 19 to Wednesday 22 April 2020 – Dubai #IdeasArriveHere
eTN is a media partner for ATM. More news here.
