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Green Glam: Middle East's Demand For Sustainable Luxury | |
| Sumita Pawar |
Sustainability is becoming a crucial consideration within the Middle East's luxury travel sector, particularly in the UAE, where 61% of respondents are willing to pay extra for sustainable tourism experiences, according to YouGov's Global Travel & Tourism Whitepaper.
As such, the upcoming 30th edition of the Arabian Travel Market (ATM), to be held at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 1-4 May, will focus on trends and opportunities within the high-end travel segment, as well as exploring sustainable travel in line with the conference's theme, "Working Towards Net Zero."
The event will showcase innovative ways in which industry leaders are delivering luxury, sustainable travel experiences, with speakers to discuss the environmental impact of luxury hospitality and the most successful methods of carbon offsetting.
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The event will also see the return of the International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) Arabia, a luxury-focused event dedicated to high-end destinations, premium accommodation, and bespoke tourism experiences.
In addition to sustainable luxury travel, consumers' desire for authentic experiences has grown within this segment. Over half of affluent travellers have sought more meaningful travel experiences since the pandemic, and more than a quarter are willing to pay extra for secluded villas and chalets.
Notably, the value of the UAE's outbound sector is predicted to reach $30.5 billion by 2028, with Saudi Arabia expected to hit $27 billion, Kuwait set to grow to $17 billion, and Qatar likely to surpass $13 billion.
The conference will prioritise exploring growth strategies in key vertical sectors with an array of exclusive brands from the Middle East's luxury hospitality segment.
The conference will also feature a new sustainability category in its annual exhibitor awards, recognising exhibitors' efforts to reduce their carbon footprint. The event's strategic partners include the Dubai World Trade Centre, the Department of Economy and Tourism, Emirates, IHG Hotels & Resorts, and Al Rais Travel.
The Middle East has developed an unparalleled international reputation for luxury tourism, with bespoke, memorable, and environmentally responsible experiences highly valued by consumers across the region.
By focusing on the future of sustainable travel, the ATM aims to identify strategies that allow the industry to meet the increasing desire for luxury travel while minimising its environmental footprint. With expanding appetites for environmentally friendly luxury experiences, the event will provide a platform for regional experts to explore a sustainable future in advance of COP28, which will be held in November 2023 at Expo City Dubai.