Airline recognised as the Middle East’s 2018 Leading Airline, Airline Brand, Business Class Airport Lounge and Cabin Crew

Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, has been recognised at the World Travel Awards Middle East 2018 with four awards – Middle East’s Leading Airline, Middle East’s Leading Airline Brand, Middle East’s Leading Business Class Airport Lounge and Middle East’s Leading Cabin Crew.

The red carpet ceremony was attended by more than 500 industry leading figures and professionals from across the Middle East. Khalid Al Serkal, Emirates’ District Manager Sharjah received the awards on behalf of the airline. Sheikh Majid Al Mualla, Divisional Senior Vice President Commercial Operations Centre said: “It is an honour to be recognised by the World Travel Awards Middle East 2018 for our ongoing efforts to continually enhance the customer experience both onboard and on the ground. Taking the top spot in multiple categories is a reflection of the airline’s commitment to operational excellence, outstanding customer service and a focused approach on building the brand.” Last year, the airline launched product enhancements on its Boeing 777 and A380 aircraft – unveiling its enhanced A380 Onboard Lounge, game-changing Boeing 777-300ER First Class private suites and new Business Class cabin and configuration on its Boeing 777-200LR aircraft. Passengers on Emirates across all cabins can enjoy its award winning in-flight entertainment system ice, with up to 3,500 channels and 20MB complimentary on-board Wi-Fi, as well as regionally inspired meals prepared by award-winning chefs. Emirates’ state-of-the-art, seven Business Class Lounges at Dubai International Airport Concourses A, B and C – boast a total seat capacity of over 4,500. Concourse B lounges recently completed a US$ 11 million makeover, offering Business Class customers, as well as Platinum and Gold Skywards members  the highest standards of comfort before their flight. The airline also expanded its global network of lounges to 41 dedicated Emirates Lounges in 2017. The airline’s international team of over 23,000 cabin crew come from over 135 countries, and speak more than 60 languages. Crew members are trained to provide the very best inflight service and Emirates on-board experience. Emirates operates a modern fleet of 269 all wide-body aircraft, and is the first and only airline in the world to operate a fleet of all Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft for its passenger flights. The airline’s extensive network offers customers travel choices to over 159 destinations, in 85 countries, across six continents.

Middle East’s largest travel trade event will celebrate its 25^th year, with over 2,500 exhibiting companies and an expected 40,000 visitors, showcasing the largest ever hotel exhibition space in the show’s history Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2018, the region’s leading travel industry showcase, opens its doors on Sunday 22^nd April for four days of business networking opportunities and insightful seminar sessions, where deals worth over US$2.5 billion will be agreed. Now in its 25^th year, the 2018 edition will welcome over 2,500 exhibiting companies and an expected 40,000 visitors, with over 150 countries represented, 65 national pavilions, and more than 100 new exhibitors set to make their ATM debut. Building on the success of last year, ATM 2018, which takes place at the Dubai World Trade Centre from April 22-25, will showcase the largest exhibition of regional and global hotel brands in the history of ATM, with hotels comprising 20% of the total show area. Simon Press, Senior Exhibition Director, ATM said: “Arabian Travel Market continues to be the preferred route to market for many international and regional hospitality brands and the increase in hotel exhibition space in 2018 reflects the hundreds of new property and brand launches we have seen during the last 12 months. “Over the coming years, we will see these new properties prosper as millions more tourists visit the region for the first time. The last 12 months brought unprecedented developments in major markets and the region is poised for further great developments in 2018.” Celebrating its 25^th year, ATM 2018 will adopt Responsible Tourism – including sustainable travel trends – as its official show theme, integrating it across all show verticals and activities, including advice clinics and focused seminar sessions, featuring dedicated exhibitor participation. Press added: “The tourism industry in the GCC has grown ten-fold and more since we first opened our show doors 25 years ago. With a host of top speakers lined up and panel sessions for ATM 2018, we will be looking back on the tourism revolution in the Middle East over the last quarter of a century and also forecasting what lies ahead for the industry, with continuing geopolitical tensions across the globe, economic uncertainties, huge technological advances and, of course, the increasing trend of responsible tourism.” Hyperloop and future travel experiences will kick off proceedings on ATM’s Global Stage on Sunday 22^nd April between 13.30 and 14.30. Moderating the session, Richard Dean, a UAE-based business broadcaster and presenter will be joined by a host of high-profile panellists including Christoph Mueller, Chief Digital and Innovation officer, Emirates Airline and Harj Dhaliwal, Managing Director Middle East and India Operations, Hyperloop One. This year, ATM has partnered with International Hotel Investment Conference (IHIF) organisers to present the inaugural Destination Investment panel.  Taking place on the ATM Global Stage, the session will discuss what drives investment in travel destinations across the Middle East and neighbouring regions. Also debuting this year will be the ATM Student Conference – ‘Career in Travel’ – a programme aimed at students and graduates who are looking to pursue a career in the travel and tourism industry. Taking place on the final day of ATM, this programme will allow ‘tomorrow’s’ travel professionals and hoteliers, to listen to guest speakers and travel industry leaders. Perennial calendar favourites at ATM 2018 include the ultra-innovative Travel Tech Show, ILTM Arabia and the Travel Agent Academy as well as the Buyers’ Club and the Wellness and Spa Lounge, both of which offer excellent opportunities to meet and network with likeminded individuals and organisations. Issam Kazim, CEO, Dubai’s Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), said: “This year marks the 25th edition of Arabian Travel Market and we are extremely pleased to be able to extend our support once more. In 2017, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai, launched Dubai Government’s 10X Initiative and as a result our projects and initiatives reflect this vision, designed to leverage new technologies and build on our ‘digital, mobile and social first’ agenda. Along with our partners on the Dubai stand we look forward to presenting just some of these immersive experiences – from witnessing Dubai in virtual reality, to our partners from Expo providing insights into the masterplan and much more.” Thierry Antinori, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, Emirates Airline said: “As we celebrate 25 years of partnership and commitment to ATM, it’s remarkable to think how far this event has come in the region, as well as on the global stage, and as an airline we are proud of the role we have played in its growth. International air connectivity is a key driver in tourism, and for the hosting of regional industry events like ATM. With 159 destinations across six continents in our growing network, we will continue to bring travellers to and through Dubai, by innovating and providing the best customer experiences to earn their loyalty to make Emirates their first choice whenever they think of travel.” Olivier Harnisch, Chief Executive Officer of Emaar Hospitality Group, said: “Now in its 25^th year, the Arabian Travel Market has played a transformational role in shaping the tourism and hospitality sector of the region. As one of the leading global platforms that present the newest trends in the industry, the event presents diverse opportunities for all stakeholders to strengthen their business. As the Official Hotel Partner of the event, Emaar Hospitality Group will present its three hotel brands – the premium lifestyle Address Hotels + Resorts, the upscale lifestyle Vida Hotels and Resorts and contemporary midscale Rove Hotels – and their growing footprint. In addition to presenting our digital transformation strategy, we will highlight our focus on innovation to enhancing customer service standards.” Anwar A.Z Abu Monassar, Destination Director, Strategy & Operation, The Vision, said: “With ATM coming back again as a great show to connect and share, we at The Vision Destination Management are proud of another successful season where we witnessed growth in strong partnerships, both in leisure and events. The Vision’s commitment and recognition, not only as event planner in showcasing the destination, but also as reality that involves and promotes segments of the society is a never-ending focus that we pursue. During the present year we involved reputed and experienced figures that do not only guide travelers, but literally bring them into the local reality in all its different segments. We developed skills of Life Coaching within our team to allow our clients to deeply understand our context, from the past to the future.” -ENDS-  Photo caption: From left to right: Anwar A.Z Abu Monassar, Destination Director, Strategy & Operation, The Vision Thierry Antinori, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, Emirates Airline Simon Press, Senior Exhibition Director, Arabian Travel Market and World Travel Market Issam Abdul Rahim Kazim, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing Olivier Harnisch, CEO, Emaar Hospitality Group  About Arabian Travel Market (ATM) is the leading, international travel and tourism event in the Middle East for inbound and outbound tourism professionals. ATM 2017 attracted almost 40,000 industry professionals, agreeing deals worth US$2.5bn over the four days. The 24th edition of ATM showcased over 2,500 exhibiting companies across 12 halls at Dubai World Trade Centre, making it the largest ATM in its 24-year history.  www.arabiantravelmarketwtm.com Next event 22-25 April 2018 – Dubai. About Reed Exhibitions Reed Exhibitions is the world’s leading events business, enhancing the power of face to face through data and digital tools at over 500 events a year, in more than 30 countries, attracting more than seven million participants. About Reed Travel Exhibitions Reed Travel Exhibitions is the world’s leading travel and tourism event’s organiser with a growing portfolio of more than 22 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, luxury travel, travel technology as well as golf, spa and ski travel. We have over 35 years’ experience in organising world-leading travel exhibitions. Media contact NATHALIE VISELE Director Tel: +971 4 365 2711 | Mobile: +971 50 457 6525 E-mail: nathalie.visele@shamalcomms.com Office 106, Arjaan Office Tower, Dubai Media City PO Box 502701 | Dubai, United Arab Emirates Website: www.shamalcomms.com

In association with Qa Research and in light of its inaugural exhibition at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) next week, UKinbound has released its latest Business Barometer results with a focus on the Gulf Corporation Council (GCC) market.

To encourage visitors from GCC countries to explore more of the UK, 75% of respondents stated that increased marketing in these countries is key.  62% of respondents also said that increasing the number of direct flights to UK regional airports from destinations across the GCC would boost visitor numbers. Additionally, the creation of culturally sensitive itineraries, improved UK train links and better signage were cited as important factors that could encourage more GCC visitors to come to the UK.

UKinbound’s chief executive officer, Deirdre Wells OBE said: “Visitors from the GCC countries to the UK in 2016 ranked 15th in terms of numbers (777,000) but 3rd in terms of overall spending (£1.4 billion)*. This is clearly a valuable market with lots of potential that our members are keen to tap into.

“Exhibiting at ATM is therefore an important strategic step for UKinbound and will help our members and other stand sharers to showcase their businesses and secure new opportunities in a growing and emerging market.

“We will also continue to lobby Government on issues such as increasing marketing spend, visas and APD, to ensure that the UK remains a first choice for our international tourists and an attractive business and leisure destination.”

The Business Barometer results also reported that 56% of respondents have seen an increase in overall bookings/visitor numbers/customer orders in January and February 2018 compared to 2017. Similarly, yield was the same or higher for 73% of members during the same period. However, confidence levels experienced a slight dip with 52% of members stating their 12-month business outlook was positive, down from 54%.

UKinbound will be exhibiting at the Arabian Travel Market in the European Hall (stand EU6830) in Dubai from Sunday 22nd April to Wednesday 25th April 2018.

* Source: Visit Britain

 -ENDS-

 For further information, contact Lauren Broughton

lauren@diligentcomms.com | + 44 (0) 7725 865 063

 About UKinbound

UKinbound is a leading travel trade association and the only one which focuses solely on the interests of the UK’s inbound tourism sector. UKinbound addresses and engages with Government, the media, travel trade and the general public to raise awareness of the importance of inbound tourism to the UK economy.