Experts at ATM say business events boost socio-economic growth
Moderated by Senthil Gopinath, CEO, ICCA, the panel featured Ahmed Al-Khaja, CEO, Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment, Dubai Economy and Tourism; Mubarak Al Shamsi, Director of Abu Dhabi Convention and Exhibition Bureau, Department of Culture and Tourism; Iyad Rasbey, VP - Destination Tourism Development, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority; and Martin Thomas Boyle, CEO, International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO). Together, they explored howevents are fostering socioeconomic growth and enhancing destination appeal across the Middle East region.
Opening the session, Al-Khaja elaborated on the pivotal role that festivals in Dubai have played in shaping the city's cultural and economic landscape. Notably, he highlighted the Dubai Shopping Festival, which was launched in 1996, as a particularly influential event that not only attracts local residents but also draws tourists from around the world each year.
Commenting on the events strategy for Abu Dhabi, Al Shamsi said: 'In recent years, Abu Dhabi has achieved remarkable success in hosting major exhibitions, conferences, and events, delivering clear economic benefits. However, our strategy extends beyond numbers and is focused on creating a long-lasting legacy that aligns with Vision 2030, with a focus on advancing key sectors including healthcare, innovation, sustainability and energy.'
According to Rasbey, events have been key to Ras Al Khaimah's rising prominence: 'Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) is an important segment and has contributed significantly to our growth. Last year, Ras Al Khaimah achieved 40% growth, with MICE being the fourth largest segment contributing to this.
'It is vital for us to secure events that contribute to our growth and development. Examples of past events include the Global Citizen Forum, which attracted investors and high-net-worth individuals to the Emirate. In terms of tourism growth, hosting the Arab Aviation Summit enabled us to connect Ras Al Khaimah International Airport with 11 cities globally.'
Elsewhere today, Fouad Talat, Regional Manager, Booking.com, John Bevan, CEO, dnata Travel Group and Amani O'Neill, Senior Public Policy Manager, Middle East, Airbnb, discussed the microtrends redefining travel. During the engaging session, the speakers covered trends including sleep tourism, dark tourism and coffee tourism, outlining how these trends are impacting global travel behaviours and shaping the way destinations evolve and adapt.
During the discussion, the speakers discussed how tourism providers should adjust their marketing strategies to align with these trends and provided practical applications for incorporating microtrends into long-term planning.
Tomorrow (April 29) at ATM, the Business Events Stage will host an exclusive networking session where participants will have the opportunity to engage with prominent international and regional associations to foster strategic relationships, unlock collaboration opportunities and exchange high-value business leads.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Gulf Insider
3 days ago
- Gulf Insider
Saudi Arabia Sets New Skill-Based Work Visa System: How Can You Benefit?
Saudi Arabia has rolled out a major change to its work visa system that could benefit skilled foreign jobseekers looking to work in the Kingdom. For the first time, all foreign workers will be officially classified into one of three skill levels: high-skilled, skilled, and basic. Previously, Saudi Arabia issued work permits based mainly on job titles without clearly linking them to qualifications, salary levels, or actual skill sets—often leading to mismatches between roles and worker profiles. The new move, which took effect for current workers on July 5, 2025, and will apply to new hires from August 3, 2025, is part of the Kingdom's ongoing Vision 2030 reforms. The aim? To attract highly qualified professionals, raise workforce standards, and help jobseekers better match with relevant roles. High-skilled: Reserved for professions like engineers, doctors, and IT specialists. Candidates will need to meet a points-based system that considers their education, professional experience, and salary. Skilled: Mid-level roles such as technicians, supervisors, and administrative staff. These require some experience and verified qualifications but don't need to meet the high-skilled points threshold. Basic: For manual labour and support roles. Workers in this category must be under the age of 60. If you're applying for a job in Saudi Arabia, the new system adds transparency and predictability to the process. You'll now know where you stand based on your credentials, and employers must ensure your classification matches your contract and qualifications. More importantly, for jobseekers with strong educational or technical backgrounds, the new structure creates a clearer path to higher-tier job opportunities. Professional accreditation programs like Qualification Verification or Skills Verification will now play a bigger role in employment eligibility. Employers are now required to: Ensure all current and new foreign hires are accurately classified. Update job titles and employee records in the Qiwa platform. Submit corrections if the initial classification is inaccurate. Incorrect classification could affect a company's ability to hire foreign workers in the future. To improve your classification: Gather documentation of your education and professional experience. Consider enrolling in Saudi-approved verification programs. Keep your job title and duties clearly aligned in your employment contract.
Syyaha
4 days ago
- Syyaha
Samsung Electronics Saudi Arabia Partners with Tameer Company To Elevate Smart Living and Workspaces
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – Jul 28, 2025 – In a groundbreaking collaboration, Samsung Electronics Saudi Arabia and Tameer Company have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to spearhead the development of cutting-edge smart living and work environments in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This strategic partnership was formalized in a signing ceremony at Tameer's office in Riyadh. Samsung Electronics, renowned for its leadership in manufacturing, marketing, and selling a diverse range of electronic and technology products, enters this partnership with a commitment to leverage its state-of-the-art solutions for the enhancement of real estate developments. Together with Tameer, a leading real estate developer in the Kingdom, the duo will revolutionize the landscape by embedding smart technologies into residential and commercial projects. The collaboration aims to deliver unparalleled smart living experiences and innovative workplace settings. The projects will be undertaken with a focus on sustainability, efficiency, and seamless technology integration, setting new benchmarks in the regional real estate market. A key aspect of this cooperation will involve the incorporation of Samsung's latest smart technologies and connected solutions, such as SmartThings and into Tameer's developments. This integration is poised to elevate living standards, optimize workplace functionality, and offer customized experiences that cater to modern lifestyle demands. Mr. Hendrick Lee, representing Samsung Electronics Saudi Arabia, commented on the collaboration, 'We are thrilled to embark on this partnership with Tameer. Together, we will transform the vision of smart living into reality, where technology seamlessly interacts with daily life, fostering innovation and sustainability across communities in Saudi Arabia.'. Tameer CEO Yasser Al Majed said it marks a pivotal moment for Tameer and sets a new standard for modern living in the kingdom: 'At Tameer, we are committed to providing our residents with the most advanced living experience possible, and the capabilities Samsung Electronics provides allows us to deliver on that promise. We are especially proud to have launch 'The Mansion', Riyadh's latest and most luxurious residential compound, with the use of Samsung's smart appliances and 4K TVs'. This MOU signifies more than a business agreement; it represents a shared vision for future-ready living and working environments in Saudi Arabia. Both Samsung Electronics and Tameer are committed to leveraging their respective strengths to implement innovative real estate solutions that align with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 objectives.
Daily Tribune
5 days ago
- Daily Tribune
Bahrain Targets Women's Leadership : SCW unveils 2025–2026 national roadmap
TDT | Manama Bahraini women are set to enter a new chapter of national development, focusing on assuming top leadership roles under a newly approved national plan by the Supreme Council for Women (SCW) for 2025 and 2026. New roadmap Titled 'Bahraini Women: Empowerment, Progress and Striving for Leadership', the plan was endorsed by Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, Wife of His Majesty the King and President of the SCW. It identifies four priority areas: family stability, decision-making, economic participation, and quality of life. Each area includes initiatives grouped under five axes: policy, budgeting, awareness and training, auditing, and evaluation. The two-year strategy builds on nearly two decades of institutional efforts to support women and aims to shift the focus from empowerment to leadership in both public and private spheres. From progress to power Unlike previous national strategies that concentrated on inclusion, the new plan signals a transition towards top-level leadership. It promotes women's access to senior roles across sectors, especially in fields such as artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and digital transformation. According to the SCW, Bahraini women now constitute 60 percent of the government workforce, with half of them in executive roles. In the private sector, women make up 36 percent of the total workforce and hold 36 percent of executive positions. The number of virtual commercial records owned by women reached 1,220 by 2024, representing 54 percent. Institutional partnership The plan introduces an implementation framework that engages government, private, and civil society sectors. This cooperative structure ensures shared national responsibility for advancing women, with clear roles and coordinated action. Among its goals are increased female participation on corporate boards, greater involvement in civil society leadership, and supportive family policies that allow women to balance personal and professional commitments. Forward strategy To improve quality of life, the plan outlines initiatives related to health, safety, and environmental awareness. It also includes programs to expand women's sports and improve support services in workplaces. By aligning with Bahrain's Vision 2030 and upcoming Vision 2050, the SCW aims to position Bahraini women as key contributors to sustainable development and economic growth.
