Marbella Delegation Travels to Dubai for Arabian Travel Market
The delegation from Marbella has traveled to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to participate in the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) for the first time. According to the City Council, Marbella has its own space at the event, sharing an area with Andalusian Tourism. The ATM, a fair that began on Monday in Dubai, will continue until Thursday, May 9th.
Mayor of Marbella Leads Campaign in the Middle East
Mayor Ángeles Muñoz has traveled to the Middle East to lead this campaign. She emphasized that this event is a significant platform to promote the city’s offerings in an essential market like the Middle East. Over four days, an intense work schedule will be carried out with more than 80 appointments with major tour operators, travel agencies, and media outlets, as reported by the City Council.
Marbella’s Presence in the Arabian Travel Market
The event covers an area that includes the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC), which brings together six Arab countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates) to promote political and economic integration among them. The Mayor clarified that Marbella is present under the umbrella of Turespaña and shares an area with Andalusian Tourism.
Participation of Major Hotels and Marbella’s Distinction
The Mayor highlighted the attendance of the city’s major hotels, such as Marbella Club, Don Pepe, Don Carlos, Boho Club, El Fuerte, and Anfitrión. She also pointed out that this edition is particularly significant for their institutional support as they aim to promote Marbella as the best European destination to visit in 2024, reflecting their commitment to quality and excellence.
Increasing Tourists from the Middle East
According to Muñoz, the municipality is receiving an increasing number of tourists from the Middle East, mainly due to direct connections with Malaga airport. Their goal is to continue working in this area to consolidate this market. The Mayor explained that they will also hold meetings with other companies outside the fair space, as there are large investment funds interested in Marbella and they work directly with them in advising.
Focus on High-Income Tourism
For several years, they have been focusing on high-income tourism, and therefore, the promotion has been focused on the Arab, American, Canadian, and Chinese and Southeast Asian markets. The Arabian Travel Market first opened its doors in 1994 at the Dubai World Trade Center with 52 countries, 300 exhibitors, and 7,000 professional visitors. Currently, it facilitates industrial deals worth $2.5 billion and attracts thousands of exhibitors and professional travel visitors from around the world through its virtual and live events.
Record-Breaking Attendance at the Arabian Travel Market
Last year, the event celebrated its 30th edition, with over 40,000 visitors, setting a new record for the fair. In line with the central theme of ATM 2023, ‘Working towards Net Zero’, more than 2100 exhibitors and representatives from over 150 countries gathered to explore how the industry can ensure sustainable travel for future generations.
