The ATM 2023 exhibition held in Dubai was a tremendous success, attracting visitors from all corners of the globe. With its lively atmosphere and diverse range of exhibitors, it was an unforgettable experience for everyone who attended.
The exhibition ran for three days, from May 1st to May 3rd, and featured the latest and greatest innovations in the travel and tourism industry. The event was held at the Dubai World Trade Centre, which is one of the largest and most impressive exhibition venues in the world.
One of the highlights of the event was the variety of countries represented with booths at the exhibition. More than 150 countries were represented, with each showcasing their unique culture, traditions, and attractions of their respective destinations. Visitors were able to sample foods, try on traditional clothing, and learn more about various countries and cultures from around the world.
The exhibition was packed with workshops, seminars, and keynote speeches, providing valuable insights and practical knowledge to attendees. Topics covered ranged from sustainable tourism to the impact of social media on the industry, and everything in between. Speakers included some of the most prominent figures in the travel and tourism industry, along with emerging innovators and entrepreneurs.
The overall quality of the exhibition was exceptional. Visitors praised the attention to detail, organization, and professionalism of the organizers. From the captivating displays to the informative and engaging talks, the ATM 2023 exhibition was a genuine testament to the growth and innovation of the global travel and tourism industry.
One of the main focuses of the exhibition was sustainable tourism and its impact on the environment. This theme was prevalent throughout the exhibition, as many countries and companies showcased their eco-friendly initiatives and practices. The emphasis on sustainability and responsible tourism practices is particularly timely, given the growing concern about the impact of travel on the environment.
Visitors also had the opportunity to learn about the latest technological advancements in the industry, including the implementation of artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and blockchain technology. These innovations are poised to revolutionize the way we travel, offering more personalized and efficient experiences for tourists while also streamlining operations for businesses.
In addition to the booths and workshops, the exhibition also hosted several networking events, offering attendees a valuable opportunity to connect with others in the industry. The event provided a platform for businesses to establish new partnerships and collaborations, as well as to showcase their products and services to potential customers.
The ATM 2023 exhibition was a resounding success, providing a global platform for the travel and tourism industry to showcase its latest innovations and initiatives. With its impressive range of exhibitors, workshops, and networking events, the exhibition provided valuable insights and practical knowledge for all attendees. It was a truly unforgettable experience that is certain to have a lasting impact on the industry as a whole.
‘Investment Trends Leading Travel Tech’ workshop
Generative AI and sustainability are driving investments in the tourism technology sector
ATM Dubai 2023 focuses on AI and ESG for tourism investment
According to innovation specialist Plug and Play, the highest levels of investment in travel technology are currently being attracted by generative artificial intelligence (AI) and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) activities. Experts from the Silicon Valley-headquartered firm shared a range of insights into the latest investment trends at the Travel Tech Stage during the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2023.
On the third day of the show, innovation specialists discussed the impact of macroeconomic headwinds and global recession fears on travel startups during the ‘Investment Trends Leading Travel Tech’ session.
Kristie Choi, an early-stage tech investor at Plug and Play, noted that venture capital (VC) investment experienced a “dramatic pullback” in the second half of 2022, a trend that continued into Q1 2023. “Although this may seem frightening, there are still billions of dollars in dry powder available to be obtained,” she informed the attendees. “Travel technology trends tend to follow similar patterns as the wider tech market, and we are currently observing a growing emphasis on profitability and cash efficiency within this sector.”
Choi stated that the travel industry is at the forefront of investing in and adopting generative AI technology. This technology is being utilized to improve the customer experience by simplifying trip planning, automating refunds and back-office processes, and aiding in content creation. ESG is also a major focus for the travel technology sector. As explained, sustained investments in transparent data reporting and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) are serving to bolster the growth of responsible tourism. The influencer economy is causing businesses to move away from online travel agencies (OTAs), as companies seek to appeal to the Gen Z market by incorporating direct booking into the platforms of content creators. This trend is identified by Choi.
- Industry leaders are supporting responsible travel through financial backing for ESG initiatives, transparent data reporting and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)
Following Choi’s presentation, Mike Sung, Director, Partner Success – Travel & Hospitality at Plug and Play, joined Natalie Seatter, Chief Product Officer at OAG on the ATM Travel Tech Stage for a conversation about travel technology investment trends.
Speaking about the increasing significance of artificial intelligence in the tourism industry, Sung pointed out, “It will be fascinating to observe how generative AI is utilized, particularly by travel suppliers in the metaverse.” There is a lot of experimentation happening in the metaverse, and for generative AI, it is not limited to text alone. It’s also about audio, video, and graphics. “I believe that this technology will accelerate the development of [Web3] solutions, particularly in the travel and hospitality industries.”
Commenting on the need for investment in data transparency, Seatter said, “The big elephant in the room is the large cloud-based data warehouses [the industry] is using to power platforms.” It is either extremely difficult to comprehend the carbon emission costs of these platforms or no one is willing to disclose the magnitude of it – or perhaps it is a combination of both. “I think that is certainly one of our challenges.”
- Plug and Play also highlighted the influencer economy, fintech, payments and operational efficiency as key drivers of investment on the ATM Travel Tech Stage
The day three session followed the ‘Plug and Play: Sustainable Tech – Startups Pitch Battle’ on day two of ATM 2023. During the pitch battle, six new ventures competed for a range of industry support and data. The sustainable commercial food waste solutions company, Winnow, emerged as the winner this year, beating stiff competition from CarbonClick, Eilago, Hotelverse, OACIS Middle East Limited LLC, and Thrust Carbon.
