For Immediate Release | Official News Wire for the Travel Industry

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Jamaica ranked 2nd in the world for prioritizing tourism, says Bartlett

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Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett says Jamaica has been ranked 2nd in the world for the prioritization of travel and tourism.

The ranking, which was done by the World Economic Forum through its Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index (TTIC), highlights that Jamaica prioritizes tourism through government policies and legislation which enable growth of the sector.

Minister Bartlett, who made the announce at the Ministry of Tourism’s Strategic retreat at the Moon Palace Hotel in Ocho Rios today, said “This ranking falls in line with our consistent drive to create strategies that promote growth in arrivals, earnings and ultimately inclusive growth for our small players in the sector.

I am pleased that this ranking gives credibility to our effort as it shows tangibly that the government is doing all that it can to achieve this consistent growth n the sector.”

Published every 2 years by the World Economic Forum, the TTIC measures the Travel & Tourism Competitiveness of 140 economies. The measurement includes the set of factors and policies that enable the sustainable development of the Travel & Tourism sector which contributes to the competitiveness of the country.

Minister Bartlett added that, “Jamaica was also ranked 6th for the effectiveness of promotion and brand marketing. This augurs well for our digital transformation drive through the Jamaica Tourist Board, which has transformed the way we market brand Jamaica in the digital space. Both rankings mean that Jamaica is doing it right and the world is taking notice.”

TTCI 2019 results also indicated that air transportation, digital connectivity and international openness are advancing in a global context of growing trade tensions and nationalism.

MEDIA CONTACT: Jamaica Ministry of Tourism, Corporate Communications, 64 Knutsford Boulevard, Kingston 5, Tel: 920-4926-30, Fax: 920-4944

Go Global Travel seals the deal with Brazilian B2B accommodation provider

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Leading global B2B travel product consolidator and technology powerhouse Go Global Travel Ltd. (“Go Global Travel”) has completed the acquisition of a Brazilian B2B accommodation, transfer and other tourism services provider.  This is the seventh acquisition made by Go Global in the last 18 months.

Go Global Travel maintains 17 offices around the globe providing 24/7 local service in over 20 different languages.  This recent acquisition will further expand Go Global’s presence in Latin America.  

Commenting on the acquisitions, Ophir Ben-Ezra, CEO of Go Global, said: “This new acquisition is a continuation of our strategy of enhancing our service and product for the travel agents and strengthening Go Global in more geographies. Our M&A activity complements our robust organic growth and positions us to become the provider of choice for travel agents. I am also thrilled to welcome to the Go Global family the experienced management team of this acquired company.”

Go Global Travel is a portfolio company of funds advised by Apax Partners.

MEDIA CONTACT:  Han Yang yang.han@goglobal.travel 

WTM London unveils Sri Lanka as Premier Partner for 2019

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Sri Lankan Tourism will be the Premier Partner at WTM London 2019 as the island’s tourism industry continues it’s resolute for recovery.

The high-profile partnership will ensure global coverage for the Indian Ocean destination, which has also teamed with legendary Sri Lankan cricketer Kumar Sangakkara to help tourism bounce back.

As a spokesman for Sri Lanka Tourism and the first non-British to be elected to the Presidency of Marylebone Cricket Club MCC based at Lord’s, Sangakkara will promote the destination’s key tourist attractions which are being marketed under the new brand ‘So Sri Lanka’.

During an interview announcing the partnership, Sangakkara said: “I am very confident that tourists who come to Sri Lanka will have a wonderful time. I have seen the country recover very well in terms of ensuring the security of both its nationals and tourists from all over the world. Those who come to Sri Lanka want to experience the country in full.”

The Premier Partnership deal with WTM London will mean thousands of international travel trade professionals and buyers will see the new ‘So Sri Lanka’ branding, and hundreds of journalists and influencers will hear about the country’s culture, scenery and heritage.

The Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau will share its exhibition space at WTM London (Stand AS200) with 67 travel trade partners, including hotels, travel agencies, resorts and operators – all united in their mission to help the country rebuild its tourism trade.

Tourist numbers plunged by 70% in the wake of April’s tragic events, but concerted efforts by the Sri Lankan tourist industry mean the recovery is happening faster than expected, with these efforts, in September the drop was narrowed to just 20%, the destination outlook is positive to bounce back at the end of the year.

According to the Minister of Tourism Development, Wildlife & Christian Religious Affairs Hon. John Amaratunga: “The government has done everything possible to regain the popularity for the destination by building confidence carrying out various aggressive promotional campaigns.  We are fortunate to have the world unitedly supporting us and rallying around to help the tourism industry, this has helped spread economic benefits far-reaching to many other important economic sectors too; and also to local communities who need it most.

“Tourism is a lifeline to Sri Lanka’s economy, unlike in the past, it has become connected to everyone in the country. Before long, tourism will definitely be the number one revenue earner for Sri Lanka”

Tourist arrivals in 2018 had reached a record 2.3 million – worth almost $4.4 billion – and numbers still look set to top two million in 2019.

Coverage of the island’s remarkable natural beauty, rich heritage and welcoming locals are certainly playing a role in supporting its recovery. It has almost 1,600 kilometres of palm-fringed coastlines, while the interior offers the chance to explore tea plantations, spice gardens, national parks, lush jungle and waterfalls. Sri Lanka is one of the top places in Asia for spotting wildlife, such as elephants, sloth bears, leopards, wild buffaloes and even the elusive blue whale, in their natural habitat.

Along with natural wonders, the island has thousands of years of history for visitors to discover, including six cultural UNESCO World Heritage Sites, plus palaces, temples and monasteries.

Visitors can also experience the benefits of Ayurveda, Sri Lanka’s traditional art of healing, and restore their body and soul at the island’s many wellness retreats and resorts. Furthermore, food and hospitality play a crucial role in the country’s culture, with tourists able to enjoy a wide variety of curry and meat dishes, soups, seafood and vegetarian cuisine. Coconut milk is a distinctive ingredient in many meals, and the island is world-renowned for its tea.

WTM London’s Senior Director, Simon Press, said: “WTM London is delighted to announce Sri Lanka as its Premier Partner for 2019.

“It has been so heartening to see the country recover from the appalling events last Easter, and it looks set to have a busy winter season.

“Being WTM London’s Premier Partner means Sri Lanka can entice trade buyers and media from across the globe, which will help visitor numbers return to or even surpass the levels seen in 2018 – boosting the country’s economy and helping to provide jobs for thousands of workers.”

For more information about WTM, click here.

WTM London unveils Sri Lanka as Premier Partner for 2019
WTM London

About World Travel Market

World Travel Market (WTM) portfolio comprises eight leading B2B events across four continents, generating more than $7 billion of industry deals. The events are:

WTM London, the leading global event for the travel industry, is the must-attend three-day exhibition for the worldwide travel and tourism industry. About 50,000 senior travel industry professionals, government ministers and international media visit ExCeL London every November, generating about £3.4 billion in travel industry contracts.

Next event: Monday 4 – Wednesday 6 November 2019 – London #IdeasArriveHere

About Reed Exhibitions

Reed Exhibitions is the world’s leading events business, enhancing the power of face-to-face through data and digital tools at more than 500 events a year, in more than 43 countries, attracting more than seven million participants. Reed’s events are held in the Americas, Europe, Asia Pacific and Africa and organised by 41 fully staffed offices. Reed Exhibitions serves 43 industry sectors with trade and consumer events. It is part of RELX Group plc, a world-leading provider of information solutions for professional customers across industries.

About Reed Travel Exhibitions

Reed Travel Exhibitions is the world’s leading travel and tourism event’s organiser with a growing portfolio of more than 22 international travel and tourism trade events in Europe, the Americas, Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Our events are market leaders in their sectors, whether they are global and regional leisure travel trade events, or specialist events for meetings, incentives, conference, events (MICE) industry, business travel, luxury travel, travel technology as well as golf, spa and ski travel. We have more than 35 years’ experience in organising world-leading travel exhibitions.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Julia Newbound – WTM Portfolio Press & PR Lead

E: julia.newbound@reedexpo.co.uk

T: +44 (0)20 8910 7056 / M: +44 (0)7775 036 858

Nicole Smart – WTM Portfolio PR & Events Consultant

E: nicole.smart@reedexpo.co.uk

T: +44 (0)20 8910 7032/ M: +44 (0)79 1955 5510

International Travel Awards Opens Sponsorship Opportunity

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The Best Way to Showcase your Tourism Brand to the Whole World

The International Travel Awardsis one of the most coveted hospitality and travel awards that every business wants on their shelf. The biggest names from over 50 countries compete with each other to prove themselves to be the most trusted brand in the field. An ITA award is the largest feather in the cap of established enterprises and the best opportunity for fledgeling ventures to find a firm footing among giants.

 Year 2019 Gala ceremony will be the biggest travel and tourism event since  International Travel Awards brings its another 2 award program International Dining Awards and the International Spa Awards at the same venue. International Travel awards announces its Gala Ceremony location as Dubai – UAE and call for Venue sponsors is just started

But in international travel awards, awards are not the only way to get seen. One can also do so through its sponsorship program. Five options are available-title, diamond, gold, hospitality and event sponsorship packages, and each offering different levels of exposure. A sponsor company will get several perks throughout the ceremony if it avails of the program. The most lucrative one would be ITA team works hard to get more votings for your nomination which leads to two guaranteed awards for our sponsors, one for the company and one for the individual, with two winner packages of trophy and certificate. All this will be free of any nomination fee!

The publicity thus gained is unequalled. Substantial branding benefits on a global platform like this will generate heaps of business opportunities. The ITA will provide email marketing to thousands of professionals across the world and an exclusive press release on the company. It will be branded at the awards ceremony as well as on the ITA website. The brand name will appear in banners, on the awards stage, during ceremony announcements, on the visual screen and individually to all winners on their certificate. The company will be featured on the ITA Facebook and Twitter pages, and their news portals. One gets the chance to network with the largest group of travel agents and distribute marketing material to them. An added benefit is the access to contact details of all the travel agents and winners for the marketing operations of the company.

The International Dining Awards aims to recognise the wizards of the dining industry for their amazing skills and outstanding service. This award opens up new avenues for the restaurant, putting it among the top brass of the food industry and helping widen its customer base. This awardis the best way to tell the world of the luxurious exceptional dining experience one provides. Refer here for more details about dining awards

The International Spa Awards is the ultimate achievement for businesses in the spa and wellness segment, with more than 100 categories to ace. Winning and participating is a matter of great honour. It enhances recognition and networking in the industry. Simultaneously, it reassures customers of the quality service provided and motivates employees. There is no better way than these awards to get established in the cut-throat hospitality world. For more information about spa awards please refer here. 

If you are interested in showcasing your tourism product around the world then its a golden opportunity to sponsor at International Travel, Spa and Dining Awards Gala Ceremony. You can contact us at awards@ksaenterprise.com or +91 7395 828 848 / +91 7395 828 58 for further discussion.

Click here for more information about International Travel Awards.

Media Contact: Phone: +917395828848/+917395828858, Email: awards@ksaenterprise.com

Bartlett congratulates S Hotel and Kanopi House on new Condé Nast Traveler best hotels rankings

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Luxury and lifestyle travel magazine Condé Nast Traveler, has ranked S Hotel in Montego Bay and the Kanopi House in Portland as #1 and #6 best hotels in the Caribbean and Central America, respectively, in its 32nd annual Readers’ Choice Awards survey.

The 120-room S Hotel, owned and operated by the Crissa Group, was also ranked the 36th Best Hotel in the World.

Jamaica Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett extended congratulations to the hoteliers, whose accolades will further promote Jamaica as the destination of choice for the region.

“I wholeheartedly congratulate the management and staff of the S Hotel and the Kanopi House for being listed in the 2019 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards list.  These accolades will go a far way in helping us to promote brand Jamaica to new audiences,” said the Minister.

He further noted that, “I am particularly proud of the S Hotel which has ranked #1, after being operational for less than a year. The S Hotel is Jamaican owned and Jamaican managed and we are exceptionally proud of Christopher Issa’s undivided commitment and dedication to the tourism sector and to his country. We look forward to hearing more about the many other accolades to come.”

The Best Hotels in the World list ranked the 50 best hotels in the world according to 600,000 registered voters from the Condé Nast Traveler’s site.

The magazine described the S Hotel property as having “a bit of South Beach glitz” with ocean view rooms that “are big enough to pass for apartments in some big cities.” It also lauded the property for “artfully combining discreet urban sophistication and a laidback resort lifestyle offering guests an authentic Jamaican cultural experience.”

The Kanopi House is a collection of eco-chic treehouses nestled high amongst 100-foot Banyans and rooted deep in Jamaican culture.  The treehouses were designed and built by owners Brian and Jennifer Hew on six-acres in Portland, Jamaica.

MEDIA CONTACT: Jamaica Ministry of Tourism, Corporate Communications, 64 Knutsford Boulevard, Kingston 5, Tel: 920-4926-30, Fax: 920-4944

Seychelles titled Number 1 island destination in Africa & Middle East by Travel + Leisure 2019 World’s Best Award

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Seychelles has been named the top island destination in Africa & the Middle East.  It is the third time that Seychelles is rated in the top spot in this category by Travel + Leisure.

The exotic destination’s nomination results from the annual survey conducted by Travel + Leisure, which allows readers of the New York-based travel magazine to rate their travel experiences around the globe. Readers get to share their opinions on top hotels, islands, cities, airlines, cruise lines, spas, among others.

The best islands by region are rated on a number of characteristics including the destination’s natural attractions, beaches, activities & sights, restaurants, food, people & friendliness and value. The destination’s romantic appeal also features as an optional criterion. For each characteristic, respondents are asked to give a rating based on a five-point scale of excellence.

Boasting lush tropical vegetation, powder-white beaches and clear turquoise waters, Seychelles – a 115-island archipelago in the western Indian Ocean came out on top of the readers’ list when it comes to the Africa & Middle East region.

It is during a cocktail event at the Times Square Edition in New York City on Tuesday July 16, 2019 that Seychelles was revealed as No1 island Destination in Africa & Middle East.

Mr. David Di Gregorio, Executive Board Member of (APTA) Association for the Promotion of Tourism to Africa, of which Seychelles is a member, received the Award on behalf of the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB). Jacqueline Gifford, Editor in Chief and Jay Meyer the SVP/ Publisher presented the recognition to the destination to Mr. Di Gregorio.

Commenting on the award, the STB Regional Director for Africa & the Americas, Mr. David Germain stated that the prestigious title results from continuous collective efforts between the Seychelles authorities, including the STB and all its stakeholders.

“Achieving the distinction of Top Island in Africa and the Middle East for the third time is a tremendous honor for the Seychelles, recognizing that the region has much to offer in terms of world-class island experiences,” Mr. Germain.

Mr. Germain also pointed out that the STB’s maintains the hard work to maintain solid trade relations with the USA and Canadian outbound tour operators, travel agents and other trade partners in North America. He said that winning the award for a third time, is evidence that the STB’s marketing strategy in North America is working.

“The Award helps to garner recognition and provides a significant amount of visibility for our islands in North America and the region. The STB will continue to share and present the culture and tourism attributes of Seychelles to both the trade and consumers in the various North American cities, with the aim of increasing tourist’s arrival to Seychelles from this part of the world,” said Mr. Germain.

According to latest figures, the North American market has shown an increase by 8 percent from January to May 2019 in tourism arrivals in the Seychelles.

MEDIA CONTACT: STB News Bureau, Tel: +248 4 671 354 / +248 4 671 313, stbnews@seychelles.travel  www.seychelles.travel

Seychelles gearing up for first “North American” Roadshow in USA – June 2019

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The Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) is to jump on a superb start this June as the team will be conducting its first tourism Roadshow in North America. The events will be held from the June 10 to June 14, 2019 in Florida & California, with series of workshops in the US cities of Washington DC, Fort Lauderdale, San Diego, and Orange County in Los Angeles.

To date, 45 tourism professionals from all the 4 cities in Florida and California have confirmed their participation to attend the workshop in their respective city, to learn about the archipelago, and the various products and services available in Seychelles for their clients.

Mr. David Germain, the STB Regional Director for Africa and the Americas, will lead the delegation attending this first edition of the “Seychelles North American Roadshow.”

The team will include airline partners, Seychelles DMCs, and various hotels who have enthusiastically joined STB as exhibitors at the events. 

Speaking about the STB’s roadshow to North America, Mr. Germain mentioned his satisfaction to be able to present Seychelles as an exclusive destination within the African continent.

 “The US long-haul outbound travel continues to grow, as the market continue to venture from the traditional holiday ideas, the aim of the roadshow is to provide a platform for the Seychelles Trade and US travel trade to interact but very importantly, to also provide the US travel trade with meaningful reasons to include Seychelles in their long-haul program featuring Africa & the Middle East, he said.

He further added that the Roadshow will also provide an opportunity for the STB and the other exhibitors to have face-to-face meetings with the trade partners establish relationships, discuss collaborations and partnership as much as possible.

“Our mission is to motivate the US travel trade and provide them with the tools and support required to better sell Seychelles,” said Mr. Germain.

The Seychelles North American Roadshow will be an annual event for the STB in North America, showcasing Seychelles in different US & Canadian cities each year.

MEDIA CONTACT: STB News Bureau, Tel: +248 4 671 354 / +248 4 671 313, stbnews@seychelles.travel  www.seychelles.travel

Seychelles Tourism Board exhibits alongside Dnata Travel at the ADIB Roadshow

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The Seychelles was prominently seen at the ADIB staff travel day roadshow event alongside Dnata Travel and seven other exhibitors on April 22, 23 & 25 2019.

As Dnata Travel and the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) continue their effort to enhance the great strategic partnership that exists between the two organizations, Dnata offered Seychelles the opportunity to join them for the first time at a travel exhibition in Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank.

The STB was represented by its Tourism Attaché in Abu Dhabi Ms. Aliette Esther, who was present at the event as the face and voice of the destination.

STB’s participation in the in-house travel exhibition offered Seychelles an ideal platform to meet with the staff, bankers, their clients and other visitors that were at the ADIB head office during the event.  The footfall during the travel exhibition is approximately 2000-3000 visitors with a fixed budget.

Dnata being the official exclusive Tourism Management Company for ADIB, it was a definite occasion for the destination to be part of this prestigious event and to place itself closer to its clients including big corporate partners.

Visitors were presented with the chance to learn more about the beautiful islands of Seychelles, the attractions and activities one can participate in.

The STB representative present at the event mentioned that the strategy for the STB’s participation in the event included slowly shifting potential clients’ perception that Seychelles is just for honeymooners and couples.

She stressed that as a tourism board, the STB has been enhancing clients’ knowledge about the destination including the fact that Seychelles also has many activities catering to families and groups.

Ms. Esther also mentioned that as the Holy Month of Ramadan and the school holidays are approaching, it was a perfect time to be promoting Seychelles at ADIB.

“As our clients are getting ready for the holidays, they need to be reminded that Seychelles is a multifaceted destination and that it is very diverse with each island having its own distinct scenery, flora, and fauna.  The fact that it is easy to visit two or three islands in one day was pressed on all the visitors, and evidently, the visa-free policy created a lot of interest”. “Seychelles will continue to strengthen its brand Seychelles Islands-another world in the market while we continue to expand our partnership with key travel trade partners across the UAE,” commented Ms. Esther, STB Tourism Attaché in Abu Dhabi.

Those who visited the Seychelles/Dnata Travel stand did not leave the event empty-handed, and they certainly left with a smile on their faces and a head full of dreams of pristine waters and swinging hammocks in between the coconut trees.

Ms. Esther mentioned that through STB’s participation in the event, she has received various inquiries for the Eid packages to Seychelles.

MEDIA CONTACT: STB News Bureau, Tel: +248 4 671 354 / +248 4 671 313, stbnews@seychelles.travel  www.seychelles.travel

Seychelles Tourism Board records successful participation at 2019 Arabian Travel Market in Dubai

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The Seychelles Islands was represented at the 26th edition of the Arabian Travel Market (ATM), in Middle East’s most popular travel trade event held from April 28 to May 1, 2019 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The 4-day event garnered the participation of some 2,500 companies, including the participation of the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) featuring a representation from 150 countries, 65 national pavilions and more than 100 new exhibitors at the fair.

The Seychelles delegation was led by the Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine, Didier Dogley. The Seychelles Ambassador in the United Arab Emirates, Jean-Claude Adrienne, STB Chief Executive, Mrs. Sherin Francis.

They were escorted by a strong STB team including the Tourism Attaché at the Seychelles Abu Dhabi Embassy, Ms. Aliette Esther, the STB representative in Dubai, Ahmed Fathallah, and Ms. Stephanie Lablache STB Director for the Middle East and Ms. Vanessa Lucas, Public Relations Officer from the Headquarters.

The team was completed by few trade partners representing local Destination Management Companies and hotels including Berjaya Beau Vallon Bay Resort & Casino, Eden Bleu Hotel, Luxury Travel, Satguru Travels and Tours Ltd, Six Senses Zil Pasyon, and Vision Voyages.

The 2019 edition of the ATM travel trade show recorded over 40,000 attendees, highlighting Middle East’s thriving tourism sector and the major opportunity for Seychelles as a destination to increase its clients in the Middle East.  

STB’s participation has generated immense interest at the ATM as numerous partners and travel professionals visited the stand, conducting meetings with exhibiting partners attending the event alongside the STB team.

With the summer season fast approaching, coupled with other upcoming Middle Eastern holidays, the annual event was the ideal platform for the STB and its local partners to personally meet travel professionals to further the awareness of the destination as well as reinforcing its presence in the Middle East market.

The destination, with Six Senses Zil Pasyon as partner, was also one of the presenters at the TTN Travel Trade Competition on the 3rd day of the fair at the Inspiration Theatre on site. The STB Chief Executive Mrs. Sherin Francis showcased the destination through a Pecha Kucha presentation— a story telling format using 20 slides for 20 seconds per slide.

The presentation was followed by a quiz which was the highlight of the event as one lucky travel agent took home a prize sponsored by Six Senses Zil Pasyon by answering the questions correctly.

During the event, Minister Didier Dogley and STB Chief Executive had the opportunity to give several media interviews to share the latest news about the destination.

Aside from providing visibility to the destination and indulging in various promotional activities at the ATM, the STB team, headed by its Chief Executive also signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the renewal of a marketing agreement between the Tourism Board and Emirates Airline. 

Mrs. Francis mentioned her satisfaction following STB’s participation at the ATM, she also thanked the partners who supported the team by their presence on the stand during the event.

“STB’s participation at the ATM was definitely a great success. There was an increased interest from our media partners and our partners in the Middle East to hear about the latest news from our destination. It was vital for the destination to be present at the event, the upcoming holidays in the Middle East opens a window of opportunity to increase visitor’s arrival on the Middle East market. With the efforts contributed by the local trade present at the fair, I am confident that we have made a huge impact on the market,” said Mrs. Francis.

 “We are hopeful and anticipating to surpass last year’s visitor arrivals to the destination by participating in different travel and trade events in the GCC that will serve as a platform to personally meet with new and existing trade partners.” said Mr. Fathallah.

The UAE along with the GCC countries currently being the fourth market feeder to the destination continues to be one of the largest source markets to the destination finishing off the year 2018 with more than 32,000 visitors from the GCC.

MEDIA CONTACT: STB News Bureau, Tel: +248 4 671 354 / +248 4 671 313, stbnews@seychelles.travel  www.seychelles.travel

ATM to launch inaugural M.E. edition of Travel Forward in 2020

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Travel, tourism and hospitality professionals from around the world will have an opportunity to explore the next generation of industry innovations at the Middle East’s first ever edition of Travel Forward, which will take place alongside Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2020.

The travel and hospitality innovation event will connect buyers and suppliers from across the Middle East and beyond, enabling delegates to try out the latest industry tools and take advantage of technologies that could boost efficiency and improve the customer experience.

The event will cover the full spectrum of industry tools, from emerging innovations such as augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), artificial intelligence (AI), robotics and machine learning, to existing systems such as booking engines, business management software and end-user technology.

Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said: “In today’s ultra-competitive travel, tourism and hospitality markets, the effective implementation of innovative technologies is essential to the long-term success of any business. By identifying the right tools to meet their needs, industry professionals can give themselves a competitive edge.

“That is why events such as Travel Forward are so important to our sector’s future. By bringing together buyers and suppliers, and facilitating face-to-face interactions, the show will make it easier for participants to identify and test innovative technologies and applications that could help to achieve their long-term goals.”

Travel Forward will form part of next year’s Arabian Travel Week, an umbrella brand comprising several co-located shows including Arabian Travel Market 2020; ATM Holiday Shopper; CONNECT Middle East, India and Africa; and ILTM Arabia.

The original edition of Travel Forward was launched during World Travel Market 2018 in London. Based on the success of the event to date, organiser Reed Travel Exhibitions rolled out a Latin America edition earlier this year, and plans to introduce both Middle East and South Africa editions in 2020.

Richard Gayle, Event Manager, Travel Forward at WTM London, said: “The London edition of Travel Forward has attracted widespread industry interest since its launch in 2018. The event not only allows technology suppliers to showcase their products and services to buyers on a one-to-one basis, but also enables travel, tourism and hospitality professionals to get hands-on experience with technologies that could transform their operations.

“The Middle East edition of the show will enable industry players from across the Gulf to engage with the latest innovations by bringing these technologies to their doorstep.”

Delegates at the Middle East event will have access to high-profile keynote speakers and a world-class line-up of technology experts, and the event’s organiser plans to limit the number of exhibitors so that suppliers and buyers can be more effectively aligned.

Travel Forward will include a dedicated product theatre, enabling exhibitors to conduct live demonstrations for attendees. The event will also feature ‘Pitch It – Prove It’ start-up challenge, in which suppliers will not only explain the theory behind their innovations but also demonstrate their advantages in real time.

The standalone event will build on the success of ATM 2019’s theme, cutting-edge technology and innovation, which has been integrated across all show verticals and activities, including its focused seminar sessions.

For more information about ATM 2019, visit: https://arabiantravelmarket.wtm.com.

To find out more about Travel Forward, visit: https://travelforward.wtm.com.

About Arabian Travel Market (ATM)

Arabian Travel Market is the leading international travel and tourism event in the Middle East for inbound and outbound tourism professionals. ATM 2018 attracted almost 40,000 industry professionals, with representation from 141 countries over the four days. The 25th edition of ATM showcased over 2,500 exhibiting companies across 12 halls at Dubai World Trade Centre.  Arabian Travel Market 2019 will take place in Dubai from Sunday, 28 April to Wednesday, 1 May 2019. To find out more, please visit: www.arabiantravelmarket.wtm.com.

MEDIA CONTACT: NATHALIE VISELE, Director, Shamal Communications, Arjaan Office Tower, Dubai Media City, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Tel: +971 4 365 2711 | Mobile: +971 50 457 6525, E-mail: nathalie.visele@shamalcomms.com , Website: www.shamalcomms.com