Travel must ‘invest in sustainability now to protect future’

Sustainable travel has been given new sharp focus at the 30th edition of Arabian Travel Market.

Leading economic and ministerial figures told how travel and tourism industry must “invest now to help protect the future”.

Learn how ExpoPlatform can help make your events more sustainable with greener alternatives and a carbon offsetting scheme.

Meanwhile, Informa Markets put diversity, equity and inclusion new prominence as it held a special event to mark a new awards category for the topic.

Find this and more in your full Week in Events industry news roundup.

Sustainable travel under industry spotlight in Dubai

World leaders gathered at the Dubai World Trade Centre to place the climate crisis under the spotlight for the travel industry.

Ministerial and economic figures were at the Arabian Travel Market 2023 (ATM 2023), held in conjunction with RX, to address how businesses need to adapt to more sustainable practices.

The line-up of speakers included Sujit Mohanty, from the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, Abed Al Razzaq Arabiyat, managing director of Jordan Tourism Board as well as Walid Nassar, Minister of Tourism for Lebanon.

Sujit said: “Globally, in the last 20 years, there have been $2.97 trillion in economic losses due to disasters. Climate change is leading to more frequent and severe climate-related hazards such as floods, heatwaves, cyclones and hurricanes.

“In turn, the tourism industry loses enormous amounts of money due to these hazards.  Therefore the return on investment is clear – invest now to help protect the future.”

Danielle Curtis, exhibition director ME for Arabian Travel Market, added: “The issue of climate change has never been more topical or urgent, and the strategies discussed at today’s opening session provided the perfect launchpad for ATM 2023 as we explore the future of sustainable travel under the theme of working towards net zero.

“We will be hearing from leading voices across diverse segments of the global travel and tourism sector, all aligned on a shared vision to improve the climate change situation and ensure environmental protection.”

DEI put under new focus for Informa Markets

Informa Markets staged a day-long event to mark the launch of a new award focusing on diversity, equity and inclusion.

IMX Live: All In was an all-colleague hybrid show wrapped around the company’s colleague recognition ceremony.

It was open to all 3,900+ Informa Markets colleagues who were able to participate virtually or in-person in London.

Mike Sealy, director of Diversity and Inclusion, said: “I’m proud to take this step in our diversity and inclusion journey.

““There are so many ways I know Informa Markets can make a meaningful impact in this space.

“Whether it’s through creating a more diverse and equitable environment for our own 3,900+ colleagues – or through harnessing the power of our 450+ events and brands that bring together global industries and supply chains.

“I’m proud that we’ve announced this year’s areas of focus at our first all-colleague event focused on DE&I and I look forward to working with our talented colleagues around the world to bring them to life in 2023.”

The event was a day of reflection, inspiration and celebration with topics on issues such as colleagues’ experiences of neurodiversity in the workplace, age inclusion across a multi-generational staff as well as conversations about marriage in relation to the LGBTQIA+ community.

UFI names winners of next generation leader grants

Winners of this year’s UFI Next Generation Leadership Grant have been revealed.

The recipients were selected by an international jury of experts, chaired by president of the global association of the exhibition industry Michael Duck.

It is aimed at promoting the next generation of professionals trying to establish their place in the sector.

Michael said: “The UFI NGL grant has aimed since its inception to foster the next generation of professionals who are looking to find an exciting career in the exhibition industry.

“The theme of the NGL Grant is carefully chosen keeping in mind topics that are of critical importance to the future of our industry.

“The overwhelming global response received for the UFI 2023 NGL Grant has shown how special this programme has been for those who are finding their place in this industry.

“The quality of winners we have seen over these years has been impressive.”

Winners of the 2023 grant are:

• Otero Finiti – Business Development Executive, Expo Stars Interactive, UK
• Elizabeth George – Sr. Lead, Content & Programming, HIMSS, US
• Tehchad Kittiboonya – International Sales Manager, VNU Asia Pacific, Thailand
• Aya Moatamed – Data Analyst, Informa Markets, Egypt
• Amy Saleh – Operations Director, Hannover Fairs, Australia

Mentorship and networking with the leading executives make grant among the most prestigious talent accelerator programme of its kind.

Applicants must have a maximum of 10 years of experience within exhibitions and must still be working in the industry.

The programme is sponsored by some of the leading global exhibition organisers: Clarion, dmg Events, Emerald, Informa Markets, RX and Tarsus.

Meanwhile, leading players from the Middle East and Africa region and beyond are currently gathered in Doha for UFI MEA Conference 2023.

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