Judges have commended Hilton's decision to select a local supplier and the brand's dedication to reusing stand materials for the next three years.
Saudia has secured the ATM Best Stand Design Award (over 150m2) for the second consecutive year, with the panel congratulating the airline for creating a remarkable "wow factor."
At ATM 2023, Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, Visit Maldives, and WebBeds have also been honored with awards.
Hilton was honored with the inaugural Sustainable Stand Award at the 30th Arabian Travel Market (ATM), currently taking place at Dubai World Trade Centre until Thursday, May 4th. The hospitality company earned praise from the event's independent panel of judges for its decision to involve a local supplier in constructing its stand, as well as its commitment to repurposing materials over the next three years.
In line with the company's long-term sustainability objectives, Hilton is actively measuring its environmental impact using a carbon calculator and has implemented measures to minimize the environmental effects of its catering activities during the event.
The ATM judges also expressed their condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Jochem-Jan Sleiffer, Hilton's former President – Middle East, Africa, and Türkiye, who tragically passed away last week.
In addition to Hilton, the judges of the ATM 2023 Best Stand Awards also recognized several other exhibitors for their eco-friendly initiatives. The panel commended The Royal Commission of AlUla for its meticulous attention to environmentally-friendly materials incorporated into the design of its booth. Switzerland Tourism was also lauded for its 'sustainability wall' and the adoption of a reusable modular system.
In the category of Best Stand Design Award (over 150m2), Saudia secured its position as the winner for the second consecutive year. The national airline of the Kingdom received accolades for its impactful utilization of digital screens and the use of reflective flooring, which the panel noted created a genuine and impressive 'wow factor.'
The accolade for the top Stand Design Award (covering an area of less than 150 square meters) was bestowed upon Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. Their exhibit took inspiration from the residence of the renowned global superstar, Rhianna. The judges of the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) lauded the design for effectively capturing the essence of Barbados and for its innovative incorporation of digital screens. Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts received honorable mention in this category for their ingenious layout and utilization of recycled materials.
Meanwhile, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) clinched the Best Stand for Business Award due to their impressive three-story exhibition area. The stand's comfortable seating arrangements, well-organized layout, and top-notch hospitality combined to craft an inviting ambiance for attendees, as assessed by the judging panel. In a similar vein, the Sharjah Commerce & Tourism Development Authority earned commendation in this category for their skillful utilization of space, their success in reflecting the Emirate's identity, and their attention-grabbing powerboat centerpiece.
The Best Stand at the ATM Travel Tech Awards was clinched by WebBeds, thanks to its inviting, practical, and visually appealing design, coupled with its expansive upper-level meeting space. The judges also lauded RateGain's booth, which stood out from its Travel Tech peers due to its creative use of wood elements.
Visit Maldives secured the Best Stand Feature Award, with the judges highlighting the impact of its digital floor area. The impressive exhibit portrayed a marine ecosystem teeming with whale sharks and manta rays, effectively and memorably showcasing the Indian Ocean destination.
The panel of judges for the ATM 2023 Best Stand Awards comprised Helen Sheppard, Sustainability Director at RX; Christian Druart, Secretary of the Sustainable Development Working Group at The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI); Selina Donald, Chief Sustainability Advisor and Founder at The Bulb; Nadia Ibrahim, Director – Consultancy & Sustainability at Farnek; Kevin Agnew, Global Environment Manager at RELX; Sarah Duignan, Director – Client Relationships at STR; Philip Wooller, Senior Director Middle East & Africa at STR; Matt Gibson, CEO of UpThink; and Marissa Baranoff-Rossine, Editor of TTG Asia.
Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director for the Middle East at Arabian Travel Market, expressed her profound admiration for the caliber of this year's booths, which showcased a variety of innovative approaches to sustainability, functionality, and hospitality. She extended her gratitude to the panel members for their dedication and congratulated all this year's winners for their outstanding exhibition spaces.
The 30th edition of ATM is occurring as part of Arabian Travel Week, a series of events spanning from May 1st to May 10th, 2023. This festival of events is dedicated to facilitating collaboration among industry professionals worldwide, providing opportunities through exhibitions, conferences, breakfast briefings, awards ceremonies, product launches, and networking gatherings.
For those attending ATM 2023 in person, engagement in online discussions is encouraged using the hashtag #ATMDubai when posting on social media platforms.
ATM 2023 is being organized in partnership with the Dubai World Trade Centre, with strategic collaborators including Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) as the Destination Partner, Emirates as the Official Airline Partner, IHG Hotels & Resorts as the Official Hotel Partner, and Al Rais Travel as the Official DMC Partner.
