This morning, travel and tourism experts from across the industry gathered at the Dubai Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2024 Future Stage to discuss the challenges of navigating the hospitality transformation.
Senior representatives from IHG Hotels and Resorts, Marriot International, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Banyan Tree Dubai, Mastercard, and Silkhaus attended the opening session, “Trends Shaping the Future of Hospitality in the Middle East.” The diverse panellists offered a broad perspective on the challenges and opportunities confronting today’s hospitality industry.
Haitham Mattar, managing director of Middle East, Africa, and South West Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts, kicked off the hospitality trends session with an insightful discussion about the dynamic transformation of the hospitality landscape.
Speaking to a packed audience of trade professionals, Mattar emphasized the importance of how destinations and hotels identify their respective source markets. “The COVID-19 pandemic has changed how generations choose to travel, with outdoor adventure taking the top spot away from “beach, sun, and sand.” To keep the industry afloat in difficult times, the private sector must reflect the vision of their respective tourism authorities and collaborate to ensure appealing spending packages for those markets.”
He also outlined how generational shifts and emerging travel behaviors give rise to global travel trends such as slow travel. Similarly, with the hospitality industry accounting for 10% of global emissions, consumers are now willing to spend up to 31% more on hospitality.
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