Latest news with #ATM2025
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Adventure Tourism Meet 2025 2nd edition brings policymakers, leaders together in Dehradun
Dehradun hosted the second edition of the Adventure Tourism Meet (ATM) 2025 on June 27, bringing together policymakers, community leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators from the adventure travel sector. Organised by Indian Express Online Media, the event served as a platform to discuss the role of community-led tourism, new innovations, and sustainability in the Himalayas and beyond. On the evening before the main event, an Adventure Roundtable was held where key stakeholders in adventure tourism shared their experiences and best practices with each other and with local adventure tour operators. ATM 2025 was held in partnership with Uttarakhand Tourism (Presenting Partner) and powered by the Government of Uttarakhand and Meghalaya Tourism. The event began with a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony by Satpal Maharaj, Minister of Tourism, Government of Uttarakhand, along with other dignitaries. This was followed by a welcome note from Roshun Povaiah, Editor, In his keynote address, Satpal Maharaj emphasized the importance of balanced tourism that supports the local economy while preserving ecological integrity. He spoke about the initiatives taken by the government to promote adventure tourism in Uttarakhand and the focus on skilling youth in activities such as rafting and paragliding. 'Uttarakhand is committed to becoming a leader in sustainable and responsible adventure tourism,' he said. Abhishek Ruhela, IAS, Additional CEO, Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board (UTDB), presented Uttarakhand's vision for adventure tourism and its role in empowering local communities. Banshidhar Tiwari, IAS, DG, DIPR, Government of Uttarakhand, also shared his perspective on the adventure tourism potential of the state. Philip F Tariang, Assistant Director – Tourism, Government of Meghalaya, spoke about the adventure tourism offerings in Meghalaya, including activities such as caving and scuba diving. The event featured a series of presentations. Tsewang Namgial, Founder, Snow Leopard Conservancy, spoke about Ladakh and the specific challenges of conducting adventure tourism in its fragile geography. Archana Singh, travel influencer and Director – Marketing, Onlyone Travel, shared her journey of leaving a corporate career and travelling to 107 countries, including destinations from the Arctic to Antarctica. Rakesh Pant, co-founder, Trek the Himalayas, who is based in Dehradun and has worked in the adventure tourism space for several decades, spoke about the future of adventure tourism in Uttarakhand. Two panel discussions were held during the event. The first panel, titled 'Voices of the Hills: Community-Led Adventure Tourism Models,' focused on local communities in the Indian Himalayas who are taking the lead in redefining adventure tourism. It featured real-world case studies, policy interventions, and responsible travel practices beyond conventional models. The panelists included Manisha Pande, Managing Director and co-founder of Village Ways, who has helped create sustainable, community-owned tourism experiences in Uttarakhand and other hill states; Lokesh Ohri, Founder of Been There Doon That and Humanities Himalaya, known for his work in heritage preservation and cultural storytelling; and Mani Mahesh Aurora, CEO and Co-Founder of Impact Investors and co-founder of The Goat Villages, whose work focuses on regenerative tourism, rural livelihoods, and tourism as a solution to urban migration. The second panel, titled 'New Directions and Innovations in Adventure Tourism,' explored how technology, luxury, and design are transforming adventure tourism in India. It included topics such as glamping, astro-tourism, drone-assisted mapping, and accreditation tools. Panelists included Sanjay Sharma, CEO and co-founder of Organic Hideaways Pvt Ltd and Founder of All Key Solutions & Services, who has built environmentally conscious glamping retreats; Prabhat Verma, Executive Director at Le Passage to India Journeys, who discussed evolving customer expectations and the role of global best practices; and Ramashish Ray, Founder of Starscapes Experiences, who spoke about astro-tourism and how stargazing, storytelling, and science can enhance travel in remote locations. Both panels were moderated by Povaiah. Ray also gave a special presentation on Uttarakhand's Nakshatra Sabha initiative, which was launched to promote astro-tourism in the state. He highlighted the need for a Dark Skies policy in India and noted that work is ongoing in this area. A folk performance showcased the cultural richness of Uttarakhand and added a regional touch to the event. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Mukesh Singh, Senior Vice President & Revenue Head, Indian Express Online Media. He emphasized the media group's commitment to promoting India's tourism potential through dialogue and collaboration. He also stressed the importance of building partnerships between local operators and national stakeholders to strengthen the adventure tourism ecosystem. The Adventure Tourism Meet 2025 reaffirmed Uttarakhand's position as a leading destination for adventure tourism and laid the foundation for inclusive and progressive tourism models across India.
Tourism Breaking News
2 days ago
- Business
- Tourism Breaking News
UTravel leaders recognised for exceptional 2024 sales performance
Post Views: 735 As the UAE continues to cement its reputation as a global epicenter for both corporate and luxury leisure travel, UTRAVEL is highlighting a significant recognition received at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025. At the record-breaking event, which drew over 55,000 travel professionals from 166 countries, UTRAVEL's Operations Manager Duleepa Naveen and Holidays Manager Fadi Abu Rashid were honored with the 'Excellent Performance in Sales for 2024' award. This accolade celebrates their pivotal leadership and the company's vital role in the sector's transformation. This recognition comes as the GCC travel industry experiences unprecedented momentum, driven by surging demand for bespoke luxury holidays and the growing 'bleisure' trend, where business and leisure travel seamlessly intersect. UTRAVEL's standout sales performance in 2024, now validated on ATM's global stage, directly reflects its ability to anticipate and meet the sophisticated needs of today's travelers across both its B2B corporate travel solutions and through its dedicated luxury leisure arm, Jovial Travels. 'Our recognition at ATM 2025 for 'Excellent Performance in Sales for 2024' is a powerful affirmation of our strategic direction and the collective effort behind it,' said Duleepa Naveen, Operations Manager at UTRAVEL. 'UTRAVEL's legacy in B2B travel has always been built on precision and collaboration. This very spirit, encapsulated by our philosophy 'If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together,' has been seamlessly extended to Jovial Travels, allowing us to connect with discerning leisure travelers seeking truly unique experiences.' Fadi Abu Rashid, Corporate Travel Manager, added: 'This award is a shared triumph. It validates our team's commitment to crafting tailor-made journeys that resonate with the evolving preferences of modern travelers in the UAE and beyond. Whether facilitating complex corporate travel or designing dream luxury escapes, our focus remains on unparalleled service and creating memorable experiences.' The ATM 2025 event, themed 'Global Travel: Developing Tomorrow's Tourism Through Enhanced Connectivity,' not only celebrated innovation but also highlighted the importance of collaboration and adaptability in a rapidly changing industry. UTRAVEL's achievement, recognized amid a record number of exhibitors and attendees, stands as a testament to its comprehensive approach, combining decades of B2B excellence with a forward-thinking focus on luxury leisure. As the region's travel sector continues its robust growth, UTRAVEL and Jovial Travels reaffirm their commitment to delivering value, innovation, and personalized service, helping shape the future of travel experiences across the GCC.
Gulf Business
27-05-2025
- Business
- Gulf Business
RAKTDA CEO Raki Phillips on how the emirate is shaping the future of tourism in the UAE
Images: Supplied As one of the most anticipated events on the global travel calendar, Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025 served as a hub for transformative conversations and bold industry announcements. Among the emirates making waves was Ras Al Khaimah, showcasing its dynamic tourism strategy, impressive visitor numbers, and robust pipeline of world-class hospitality projects. The emirate welcomed a record-breaking At ATM 2025, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority ( Neesha Salian, editor at Gulf Business , caught up with Raki Phillips, CEO of RAKTDA, on the sidelines of ATM 2025 to dive deeper into the emirate's evolving tourism strategy, its global appeal, and how these new partnerships are shaping the next chapter of Ras Al Khaimah's success story. Matt Shaw, CEO of Open World, and Raki Phillips, CEO of RAKTDA at ATM 2025 Ras Al Khaimah welcomed an impressive 1.28 million international visitors in 2024. Congratulations on that achievement. What are the key strategies helping you achieve consistent year-on-year growth? Thank you. Honestly, it comes down to having an incredible team and being a destination that's growing rapidly. We position ourselves as a destination of the future, but we're very grounded in data. We analyse our source markets closely — what they're interested in, what products they expect, and how best to communicate with them. Take China, for example. Just two years ago, it wasn't even a significant market for us. We strategically partnered with companies like Huawei and and now China is in our top 10. Chinese travellers tend to opt for luxury experiences — they're staying at the Ritz-Carlton, Waldorf Astoria, and Anantara. That kind of targeted, high-impact marketing is working because we always strive to over-deliver on the experience. Besides China, which other source markets are showing strong performance for Ras Al Khaimah? Also, RAK was recently ranked among the top destinations for high-net-worth individuals. What factors are driving that appeal? Our top markets include the UK, India, Germany, Kazakhstan, the Czech Republic, and CIS countries. Each market aligns well with our offerings — from Jebel Jais, the UAE's highest mountain, to our 68 kilometres of white-sand beaches. Another unique advantage is space — our properties offer room to breathe. Take Rixos Bab Al Bahr or DoubleTree by Hilton on Marjan Island — some of these have beach fronts that are 1.6 kilometres long. That appeals to people seeking luxury and privacy. Speaking of hospitality, Ras Al Khaimah is welcoming some impressive global brands, including Wynn Resorts. How do these developments support your trajectory? Absolutely — we're seeing a surge in high-end hospitality investments. What's unique about Ras Al Khaimah is our entrepreneurial spirit. We're a close-knit community that moves quickly. When investors approach us, we help align their brand with our destination's DNA. At Mina Al Arab, for instance, we have the InterContinental and Anantara already operational, and Four Seasons and Nikki Beach on the way. Marjan Island is seeing huge developments too. We currently have 8,000 keys, and we plan to more than double that by 2030. Wynn is a game-changer — 1,500 keys of pure luxury. It's not just about size, it's about positioning. And yes, the casino element will certainly attract international visitors. Add to that upcoming openings like Fairmont, W, and our first mountain resort, and you can see how we're building a diversified portfolio of premium experiences. Tell us about your focus on MICE tourism. We've grown our MICE numbers by 40 per ent year on year. Today, MICE would be our fifth largest source market. So the growth for us is incredible. We're excited about all the hotels that are coming on board with new MICE infrastructure. So it will continue to be a big focus. And we do it especially in the incentive part of it. We do it from a wedding market and across the board.' As tourism grows, so does the responsibility to preserve the natural landscape. How does Ras Al Khaimah balance tourism growth with sustainability? Sustainability is a core pillar for us. Ras Al Khaimah offers a unique topographical blend — from serene mountains to tranquil beaches — and our biggest asset is space. This allows visitors to enjoy peace and privacy, all while being close to Dubai's international airport. But beyond the landscape, we're also investing in accessibility. We partnered with Sage Inclusion, a company that conducted a full audit of the emirate for inclusivity. That includes considerations beyond mobility — like cognitive conditions, allergies, and sensory sensitivities. We're working towards becoming a truly inclusive destination where every traveler feels welcome and catered to. What are your long-term tourism goals for 2030? And as a leader, how do you approach running RAKTDA's operations? Our ambitions are bold but achievable. Today, we're just under 1.28 million visitors annually. By 2030, our goal is to triple that to 3.5 million overnight guests and more than double our hotel capacity. We treat RAKTDA as a high-performing business. We have EBITDA goals, KPIs, and a very clear roadmap. Tourism already contributes significantly to our GDP, and by the next decade, it's expected to form a third of the economy. This isn't a 'nice to have'— it's a central pillar of our national vision. To get there, we need strong collaborations — with investors, hospitality partners, and of course, infrastructure. Ras Al Khaimah International Airport plays a big role in this. Last year, we welcomed 670,000 passengers; we aim to hit two million by the end of the decade. We're already working with partners like Air Arabia and IndiGo, ensuring air connectivity supports our vision. As a CEO, my role is to ensure that we have the right team, clear direction, and strong leadership alignment with the emirate's goals. Fortunately, we have all those ingredients in place. .
Euronews
13-05-2025
- Automotive
- Euronews
ATM 2025: Tourism leaders tackle climate, tech and growth strategies
From eco-tourism in Malaysia to AI-led theme parks in the UAE, the Arabian Travel Market 2025 spotlighted the shifting priorities of the global tourism industry. In Dubai, leaders discussed climate resilience, data-driven experiences and investment in regenerative travel. Saudi Arabia's Aseer region announced over €11 billion in sustainable development, while Abu Dhabi's Miral emphasised machine learning to enhance visitor engagement. Destinations from Croatia to the Gulf are embracing smarter infrastructure and greener models. At ATM 2025, the message was clear: future travel must be connected, inclusive and climate-conscious. Germany's Mercedes-Benz Group AG confirmed that it will move the production of its best-selling GLC sport utility vehicle to the US from Germany, reported Bloomberg. The carmaker announced at the beginning of this month that it would move the production of 'a core segment vehicle' to the other side of the Atlantic, but until now, they haven't named the model. Mercedes also declined to comment on whether the step is a result of the US President's tariff policy, adding a levy of 25% to the original 2.5% car imports to the US were already facing. 'If you see what we want to achieve with volumes on this model, it makes sense to bring it to the US,' Mercedes North America chief Jason Hoff said during a press briefing on Monday. Currently, the German-made GLC is Mercedes' most popular US import, with a starting price of $49,250 (€44,193). Mercedes sold more than 64,000 of this hybrid model last year in the US, more than 50% more than in the previous year. The production of the car will take place in Mercedes' Tuscaloosa, Alabama, plant. The output of the US-made GLC SUV is planned to start in 2027. Other carmakers also announced investments in the US, as they aim to reduce costs that the US President's tariff policy brings about, by making manufacturing local, just as the US President wants. In the case of Mercedes, there is no information about how many more jobs this step would create or if there is any additional financial investment planned. Yet, the White House hastily welcomed the decision. They also highlighted that BMW is considering boosting production at its South Carolina plant, Stellantis will re-open its plant in Illinois, Honda plans to shift production of the Civic from Japan to the US, and Hyundai plans a $20 billion investment in the country, among others.
Identity
12-05-2025
- Business
- Identity
Safir Hotels & Resorts Showcases Visionary Growth and Innovation at Arabian Travel Market 2025
Safir Hotels & Resorts proudly participated in the 32nd edition of the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) held at the Dubai World Trade Centre from April 28 to May 1, 2025. As one of the Middle East's leading hospitality brands, Safir joined a prestigious lineup of global hotel chains, travel companies, and travel technology innovators to highlight the dynamic evolution of tourism and hospitality worldwide. At ATM 2025, Safir Hotels & Resorts showcased its expanding portfolio and unveiled its forward-looking vision and mission aimed at redefining the guest experience through innovation and authentic Arabian hospitality. This included plans to grow the brand's presence across key destinations in the Middle East and North Africa.
