The Middle East and Africa (MEA) region is leading the way in the recovery of business travel, with the sector returning to 86% of its pre-pandemic levels in 2022, according to the latest Business Travel Index™ Outlook annual forecast and outlook from the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA). The report also reveals that the MEA region is expected to return to pre-pandemic levels of business travel spending by 2024.

GBTA’s findings will be explored in two sessions at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2023, which is set to take place at Dubai World Trade Centre from May 1 to 4. The sessions will highlight the sector’s future opportunities and how technology can support the return to travel, as well as sustainable ways of doing so. Key insights will be presented by leading industry professionals, including James Britchford, Vice President of Commercial IMEA, IHG, and Jordan Bray, Vice President of Plug and Play.

The report also reveals that business travel spending reached $933 billion globally in 2022, with the MEA region accounting for $23 billion or approximately 2.5% of overall spending within the sector. The MEA region’s prompt Covid-19 vaccination rollout in key markets such as the UAE and Israel, as well as an increased economic activity driven by the rising price of crude oil, have helped accelerate the region’s business travel recovery.

Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said that “the business travel sector is a key component of the Middle East’s wider travel and tourism industry, and it is encouraging to see that it has bounced back so strongly since the pandemic.”

ATM 2023 will explore the future of sustainable travel in line with its theme of ‘Working Towards Net Zero.’ The conference will also feature a sustainability category at its annual exhibitor awards for the first time, recognizing exhibiting organizations based on their environmental impact and efforts to reduce their carbon footprint.

Dubai World Trade Centre and its strategic partners, including Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), Emirates, IHG Hotels & Resorts, and Al Rais Travel, are supporting the event.

To register for ATM 2023, please log on to: https://www.wtm.com/atm/en-gb/enquire.html.

Written by: Stephen Morton

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