As One of the Biggest Mice Networking Platforms, IMEX
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Vol. XV No. 5; May 2019 A DDP PUBLICATION Pages: 28 ddppl.com TravTalkMiddleEast.com Ras Al Khaimah as a rising MiCE destination ...................................................... 02 Thailand generates 11mn from ME ........................................................................ 09 Themed travel to take centre stage ........................................................................ 27 Media Partner Where meetings converge As one of the biggest MiCE networking platforms, IMEX Frankfurt 2019, to be held from May 21-23, will be attended by most of the Middle East’s tourism boards, travel agents, tour operators and hoteliers. Here’s what’s in store at IMEX and how participants are preparing for it... SHEHARA RIZLY IMEX in Frankfurt is a We plan to showcase the As the city’s official melting pot of ideas in the recent expansion in Ras Al convention bureau, Dubai industry calendar. Khaimah’s MiCE portfolio, in Business Events’ (DBE) Participants from Middle addition to highlighting key participation at IMEX Eastern destinations have an additions to our MiCE Frankfurt 2019 aims to opportunity to do business calendar. The new Al Hamra showcase Dubai’s dynamic with highly qualified buyers Convention Centre will be our and state-of-the-art business representing everyone from main focus during the fair. As event offerings and services large-scale association IMEX is one of the largest to global event professionals. conventions to high-end worldwide exhibitions for DBE will further discuss the Carina Bauer corporate events and luxury Haitham Mattar incentive travel, meetings Issam Abdul Rahim Kazim Dubai Association Chief Executive Officer Chief Executive Officer CEO, Dubai Corporation IMEX Group incentive travel programmes. Ras Al Khaimah Tourism and events, it is essential for for Tourism and Commerce Conference, set to take The unique IMEX hosted Development Authority us to participate and network Marketing place in Dubai on December buyer programme guarantees the quality of buyers, with key decision makers. Moreover, as Germany 9 and 10, 2019 at Dubai World Trade Centre. We over half of whom have budgets in excess of $1 continues to be the leading international source will further enhance Dubai’s position as the host million per year with more than 10 years industry market for Ras Al Khaimah, it is imperative that we city for international meetings and conferences. We experience. Countries from the Middle East amplify our destination awareness even further, are currently developing an online venue directory exhibiting this year include Egypt, Oman, Ras Al reinforce existing relationships with key partners, for the city and will be able to share further details Khaimah, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Qatar and Jordan. We and secure new wins ranging from high-level during IMEX Frankfurt this year. The directory – expect around 3,500 exhibiting companies to attend incentives to global conferences. As we aim to which will be accessible to users via visitdubai.com this year, representing approximately 160 countries. become a thriving MiCE destination of choice in the – will offer a new city-wide tool for meeting and The event also offers free premium learning Middle East, we hope to host more events, conference planners to search for suitable venues opportunities for exhibitors and buyers alike. conferences and incentives in Ras Al Khaimah. for events of all kinds and sizes across Dubai. 2 TRAVTALK MAY 2019 ATTRACTIONS gains popularity as a rising MiCE destination From mountains, deserts, to beaches and forts, Ras Al Khaimah offers the perfect backdrop for different events in the MiCE tourism sector. As the fastest growing destination in the Middle East, the emirate’s growing appeal in MiCE has attracted many key conferences and events over the years. oasting a rich culture In response to growing visitor and long-standing numbers to Ras Al Khaimah, history dating back to further development is planned B7,000 years, Ras Al including a 47-room luxury Khaimah is the fastest emerging mountain camp, a survival tourism destination in the region. training academy, 64.72 km of The emirate boasts an array of Through its growing portfolio hiking trails and the Jebel Jais archaeological sites and breath- of branded hotels, the emirate Adventure Park in partnership taking natural vistas, from golden is home to a highly competitive with Toroverde UAE, featuring sand beaches and awe-inspiring inventory of meeting facilities several new adventure products terracotta dunes to a green belt including three convention cen- expected to launch this year of date palms and Jebel Jais, the tres, five-star hotels, two 18-hole such as ‘Zipline Tour‘, ‘Bull highest peak in the UAE. golf courses and a marina. Maze‘ and ’Climbing Tower’ at Jebel Jais Viewing Deck Park. The emirate is building resound- On the hospitality front, plans ing credentials as a convention are in place to add 6,200 rooms Alongside the growing invest- and meetings destination for to the 6,700 currently available in ment in accommodation and key events such as Arabian the emirate with the introduction leisure products, RAKTDA is Hotel Investment Confer- of major global brands including working hand in hand with all ence (AHIC), Association of Marriott, Movenpick, Sheraton, the necessary government and Independent Tour Operators Anantara, Rezidor, InterCon- private sector entities to ensure (AITO), and World Travel tinental, Hampton by Hilton, that the emirate’s infrastructure Awards 2018 - Middle East Crowne Plaza, Radisson Blu and meets its growing demands. Gala Ceremony inVOYAGE: Conrad already in the pipeline. As part of its long-term plans Luxury MiCE held last year. to improve travel experiences Upcoming events set to take Meetings in Ras Al Khaimah are in the emirate, Ras Al Khaimah place in Ras Al Khaimah in- complemented by the ever- International Airport had recently clude Belgian Travel Summit in increasing array of post-meeting upgraded its airport retail space. 2019 and PATA Annual Summit and team building offerings Extending a warm welcome with 2020, as talks continue to that can range from mountain its authentic Arabian culture, bring future international trekking and adventure activities, Ras Al Khaimah is increasingly conventions into the expanding kayaking, golf, pearl farming, becoming an ideal MiCE partner events calendar. water sports and desert activities. for international meetings. QUICKBYTES MAY 2019 TRAVTALK 3 ATM as a ground for discovery Thousands of travel, tourism and hospitality professionals connect at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) to share ideas, discuss businesses and identify potential markets. TT Bureau From thrill rides and record- Dubai’s tourism numbers Dubai is no longer a seasonal breaking rollercoasters to the keep growing every year, and tourist destination but a year- region’s most beloved waterpark with the ever-changing round destination. The change in – Yas Island’s theme parks offer landscape of tourism and consumer demands reflects how unparalleled guest experiences hospitality we are expecting our clients’ demands are also that can’t be found anywhere more businesses to join, which changing. Since our location is else. With a constantly evolving will certainly drive business to convenient for both business and calendar of events, we look Dubai and to the region. With leisure guests, our focus would Mark Gsellman forward to welcoming guests Tareq Derbas Flair No.5 being a huge success, Melville Gracias be to connect with key partners Vice President—Theme Parks from across the region and General Manager we will come up with an Director of Sales & Marketing worldwide to understand Farah Experiences Ritz Carlton DIFC Gulf Court beyond at all three parks during innovative solution to keep it their needs and cater to the upcoming year. open in the summer. meet them. Keeping inbound tourism as This year we are teaming up We are looking at the Dubai our focus point, we would try to with a responsive and stronger summer season whilst expecting make ourselves available on all team. As we are focused on guests from both leisure and platforms in the UAE and around high-quality guest satisfaction, business to visit us. Our properties the globe to showcase our acquiring ideas from this event are located in key areas where properties in a diverse range of are prime tools to increase the guests are exposed to true accommodations as well as the ability to provide the experience Arabian culture amidst modern tourist attractions in the city. We that is expected by our guests. In environs. We are all gearing up for hope to serve guest needs Thameem Razick the previous year, we had been Yusuf Mallimar Expo 2020, as we can see the Ravi K Nair better and explore the latest Director of Sales and Marketing appreciated by our guests and Director of Operations government preparing its General Manager Rose Park Hotel Apartments Rose Park Hotel Apartments Best Western Hotels & Resorts technologies that would help us web partners and got high Bur Dubai infrastructure to ensure the high in lead generation. scores in reviews. number of visitors to the UAE. 4 TRAVTALK MAY 2019 STATISTICS Trade invests in social media In the words of Mark Zuckerberg, CEO, Facebook, ‘Stories are on track to overtake posts in feeds as the most common way to share across all social apps.’ And he’s not wrong! Instagram only introduced ads in stories about two years ago, but it could generate over $2 billion in revenue for Facebook this year and $7.5 billion in ad revenue for Facebook by 2021, up from an estimated $750 million last year. According to Sojern’s latest State of the Industry Report, Middle Eastern travel marketers dedicate Video on the rise more budget towards Facebook and Instagram stories this year with over 68 per cent of marketers There has been what can only be described as an explosion in planning on using Facebook stories and almost three quarters of marketers (73 per cent) intending the growth of video on social media in recent years.