The Middle East’s Tourism Entertainment Sector under the Spotlight at ATM Virtual

• Global research authority, Arival, to present exclusive insights and underscore the impact of COVID-19 on the tours, activities, and attractions sector
• OTAs and Distribution for Tours and Attractions Post-COVIDsession to highlight the changes in travels third largest and fastest-growing sector

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 20 May 2020:Arabian Travel Market, organisers of ATM Virtual, will address the changes to the tourism industry amid the rise of online travel agencies (OTAs), the re-opening of operations post COVID-19 and its impact on tour and attraction operators across the Middle East.

The session,OTAs and Distribution for Tours and Attractions Post-COVID,which will take place on the opening day of ATM Virtual on Monday, 1^stJune, 4 pm 5 pm GST (1 pm 2 pm BST), will be hosted by Douglas Quinby, co-founder and CEO ofArival, the global research authority on the tours, activities and attractions sector.

Quinby will present exclusive new insights into the tours and attractions sector, which according to Arival represented US$254 billion in 2019, while outlining the impact COVID-19 has had on the industry and a global outlook.

Representatives from some of the UAE's leading attractions and tour operators will join Quinby during the session. These includeZeina Dagher, CEO, Emaar Entertainment, and SamirMehta, General Manager, Arabian Adventures. Rounding out the panel are distribution and technology innovatorsAlaa Alkhatib, Managing Director, priohub, and MathisBoldt, VP Global Sales and Supply, GetYourGuide.

Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said: "Tours, activities, and attractions are an integral element of the travel and tourism industry and are currently the third largest and fastest growing sector. They are, however, challenged by new technologies and innovations, and now, more than ever, businesses need the support to adapt to the new demands from travellers at a local and global level.

Douglas Quinby, Co-Founder and CEO, Arival, added: Digital, distribution and venture-backed online platforms have been ushering in a dramatic change, from how travellers plan and book, to how operators and distributors connect. This session will explore what this will look like post-COVID-19 and how this important sector of the tourism industry can prepare for the recovery phase.

The debut ATM Virtual will feature a comprehensive schedule of webinars, live conference sessions, roundtables, speed networking events, and one-to-one meetings, as well as facilitating new connections and offering a wide range of online business opportunities.

The event, which underscores ATMs commitment to delivering positive business and networking opportunities to the regions vast travel and tourism community, will focus on emerging trends, opportunities, and the challenges which are directly impacting the tourism industry amid the COVID-19 global health pandemic.

Arabian Travel Market would like to thank the Saudi Ministry of Tourism and the Italian Tourist Board for their support of ATM Virtual as Gold Sponsors.

ATM Virtual takes place from Monday 1^stto Wednesday 3^rdJune 2020. To register for the event asa visitor, please log on to:atmvirtual.eventnetworking.com/register/

Formedia registrations, please go to:atmvirtual.eventnetworking.com/register/media

About Arabian Travel Market (ATM)

Arabian Travel Market (ATM), now on its 27^thyear, continues to be the focal point for the Middle Easts resilient and ever-changing travel and tourism landscape and prides itself on being the hub of all travel and tourism ideas providing a platform to discuss insights on the ever-changing industry, share innovations and unlock endless business opportunities. While the live show has been postponed to 16-19 May 2021, ATM will keep the industry connected by runningATM Virtual from 1-3 June 2020featuring webinars, live conference sessions, speed networking events, one-on-one meetings, plus so much more keeping the conversations going and delivering new connections and business opportunities online.www.arabiantravelmarket.wtm.com.

Next events: ATM Virtual: Monday 1^stto Wednesday 3^rdJune 2020

Live ATM: Sunday 16^thto Wednesday 19^thMay 2021 Dubai #IdeasArriveHere

About Reed Exhibitions

Reed Exhibitionsis a leading global events business. It combines face-to-face with data and digital tools to help customers learn about markets, source products and complete transactions at over 500 events in almost 30 countries across 43 industry sectors, attracting more than 7 million participants.

Our events, organized by 35 global offices, leverage industry expertise, large data sets and technology to enable our customers to generate billions of dollars of revenues for the economic development of local markets and national economies around the world. Reed Exhibitions is part of RELX, a global provider of information and analytics for professional and business customers across industries.www.reedexhibitions.com

About Reed Travel Exhibitions

Reed Travel Exhibitionsis the worlds leading travel and tourism events organiser with a growing portfolio of more than 20 international travel and tourism trade events in Europe, the Americas, Asia, the Middle East and Africa.

Our events are market leaders in their sectors, whether it is global and regional leisure travel trade events, or specialist events for meetings, incentives, conference, events (MICE) industry, business travel, LGBTQ+ travel, luxury travel, travel technology as well as golf and spa travel. We have over 35 years experience in organising world-leading travel exhibitions.www.reedtravelexhibitions.com

About World Travel Market

World Travel Market(WTM) Portfolio comprises nine leading travel events across four continents, generating more than $7.5 billion of industry deals. The events are:

WTM London, the leading global event for the travel industry, is the must-attend three-day exhibition for the worldwide travel and tourism industry. Around 50,000 senior travel industry professionals, government ministers and international media visit ExCeL London every November, generating over 3.71 billion in travel industry contracts.london.wtm.com

Next event: Monday 2^ndto Wednesday 4^thNovember 2020 London #IdeasArriveHere

WTM Latin Americaattracts about 9,000 senior executives and generates about US$374 million of new business deals. Taking place in So Paulo, Brazil, this show attracts a global audience to meet and shape the direction of the travel industry. More than 8,000 unique visitors, including buyers and travel agents, attend the event to network, negotiate and discover the latest industry news.latinamerica.wtm.com.

Next event: Tuesday 20 October to Thursday 22 October 2020 So Paulo

WTM Africalaunched in 2014 in Cape Town, South Africa. Around 5,000 travel industry professionals attend Africas leading inbound and outbound travel and tourism market. WTM Africa delivers a proven mix of hosted buyers, media, pre-scheduled appointments, on-site networking, evening functions and invited travel trade visitors.africa.wtm.com.

Next event: 2021 Cape Town