DUBAI, 4th May, 2023 (WAM) – Representatives of European countries and the Americas expressed their pride in sharing their countries’ experiences and tourism products and services, with the aim of attracting the public through the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in Dubai.

ATM 2023 welcomed the global travel, tourism and hospitality community to the UAE from Monday, 1st, to Thursday 4th, May. The show hosted over 2,000 exhibitors and representatives from more than 150 countries. In line with its theme, ‘Working Towards Net Zero’, ATM 2023 provided a forum in which participants can forge new connections, share knowledge and showcase innovations with the potential to expedite the global travel sector’s journey towards decarbonisation.

They stressed that the Emirate of Dubai “is truly global city of happiness and opportunity.’’

Speaking to the Emirates News Agency (WAM) on the fourth day of the 30th edition of the Middle East’s biggest travel and tourism exhibition, representatives of European countries and the Americas said they had learned a valuable lessons in Dubai, especially in the travel and tourism sector, and what the exhibition theme reflects from the UAE and Dubai’s awareness of the value of sustainability, along with the comfort and happiness of its visitors.

Daniel Rosado Bayon, Director-Spain Tourism GCC, stated that the UAE, in general, and the city of Dubai, in particular, is one of the important markets for Spain, as their regional office promotes the Spanish product to the Gulf countries, given Spain’s strong relations with tourism agencies and airline operators in the region and the promising tourism opportunities between it and Spain.

‘’Dubai is a very vibrant and active city, always moving forward, and is the best place in the Middle East to do business alongside entertainment and leisure,’’ he added.

He indicated that his country adopts specific indicators regarding the issue of sustainability in all its operations with regard to the tourism sector, according to specific plans for the year 2023 under the theme “Be sustainable and attractive”.

Yamina Sofo, Regional Director of Sales and Marketing, German National Tourist Office, Gulf countries (GNTO), expressed delight at her country’s participation in the ATM 2023 for 16th years as it provides ideal opportunities to connect with partners, showcase the German travel and tourism products and build positive partnerships with international participants.

Sofo told WAM that the ATM 2023 saw the participation of 20 tourism agencies and companies under the umbrella of the German pavilion, which consists of two regions, one for Germany and another for Munich.

She commended the status of Dubai as one of the most important tourist destinations in the world and the role of partners in the private sector in achieving qualitative achievements in the tourism sector and other sectors, developing this role and increasing its area and positive impact.

‘’ Countries of the world come to Dubai to offer their services and products, and Germany is vibrant and full of various opportunities, and we have a long history of friendship and cooperation in the field of tourism with the UAE,’’ she noted.

‘’ There is medical tourism, we received 400,000 Gulf visitors during 2022, an average of more than 1.1 million nights of stay in Germany from the GCC region, and this represents a recovery of 70% until 2019, and I am very optimistic for this year. I think we will reach a growth of 85%.’’

Jorge Luis Tellaz, in charge of the Mexican Pavilion, praised the activities and programs of the international travel and tourism exhibition, given Dubai prominent position as a global city for tourism, happiness, business and entertainment, pointing out that it is an appropriate opportunity for Mexican companies to present their tourism product to the countries of the world.

He added that the participation of Mexican tourism companies in the ATM in Dubai, which is considered a major gateway to the markets of the Gulf region, the Middle East and North Africa, will provide a large positive space to conclude important deals that qualify them to develop their activities in promising markets that offer many growth opportunities.