The Future of the UAE As A Global Tourism Hub

Arabian Travel Market

25 Apr 2016, 13:00 - 14:30 ATM Global Stage What is the grand vision for the UAE as one of the world’s leading tourism hubs and how will it evolve over the next decade and beyond? What are the tourism development plans and targets for each major destination within the UAE and how will they collectively achieve the country’s long-term vision to diversify its economy? This top-level discussion will identify the markets the UAE should be targeting and what infrastructure is being put in place to broaden its appeal to achieve individual and collective tourism goals. From the role of the UAE’s enviable aviation infrastructure and airline industry and the preservation of its cultural and historical assets, to the development of more world-class attractions and accommodation options, this session looks at the plans and initiatives in place that will take the UAE’s tourism offering to new heights during the next decade. Moderator: Zeinab Badawi, Presenter, BBC World News, BBC Panellists: - Gerald Lawless, Head of Tourism, Dubai Holding - Issam Kazim, CEO, Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce - Haitham Mattar, CEO, Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority - Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal, CEO, Shurooq - Sultan Al Mutawa Al Dhaheri, Acting Executive Director Tourism, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority - Algi Gardenghi, VP Marketing EMEA and Commercial Director MEA, Hilton - Thierry Antinori, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, Emirates Airline - H.E. Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority