At Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025, experts highlighted the importance of integrating sustainability, social impact, and local community involvement into tourism strategies as the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) sees continued growth in the sector.
Highlighting the region’s ambitious tourism goals, Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Strategy 2030 targets 39.3 million annual visitors, while Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 aims for 150 million domestic and international visits. These milestones reflect the growing importance of tourism in economic diversification across the Gulf.
Speaking during the session “Considerations and Implications of Involving Communities in Destination Revitalisation” on ATM’s Global Stage, tourism leaders emphasised that genuine community involvement is essential for creating sustainable, immersive, and authentic experiences that benefit both visitors and residents.
Abdulaziz Alkhoori, Executive Director of Group Strategy & Transformation at Miral, quoted UAE Founding Father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan: “The most important asset of any advanced nation is its people.” He stressed the significance of Emiratisation and Miral’s long-term investment in nurturing local talent from education through to executive roles in tourism.
Echoing this sentiment, Mashhoor Baeshen, Executive Director of Commercial and Business Development at Cruise Saudi, highlighted the role of local manpower in shaping visitor experiences. “The first flavour you get from a country is its people,” he said. He noted Cruise Saudi’s partnerships with hospitality universities and support for the Ministry of Tourism’s Saudisation goals, such as requiring local tour guides, as essential to delivering authentic and meaningful guest interactions.
The panel discussed how empowering communities not only enhances the tourist experience but also drives job creation, supports cultural heritage, and strengthens the economic fabric of destinations.
Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, added: “ATM is committed to fostering strategic conversations that help shape a more connected and sustainable tourism industry. By facilitating diverse discussions like this, we pave the way for smarter, more inclusive travel development.”
Held under the theme “Global Travel: Developing Tomorrow’s Tourism Through Enhanced Connectivity,” ATM 2025 runs through 1 May at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC). The event features over 200 speakers across three main stages and attracts more than 55,000 travel professionals from 166 countries.
ATM 2025 is organised in partnership with Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), with Emirates as the Official Airline Partner, IHG Hotels & Resorts as Official Hotel Partner, and Al Rais Travel as Official DMC Partner.
