In response to the current travel restrictions around the world, Arabian Travel Market (ATM) Virtual, a newly launched three-day event will take place online, as the name suggests, from June 1 to 3, 2020.

Over the course of three days, the debut ATM Virtual will feature comprehensive 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. 

Recent research by ATM suggests that local tourism and domestic travel are expected to lead the UAE and wider GCC’s recovery from Covid-19 as we begin to see the easing of lockdown restrictions.

The research from Colliers International, in partnership with ATM, revealed the percentage of bookings to Abu Dhabi within a 48km radius increased from just 20 per cent in January 2020 to 43 per cent in March. While, in Dubai, the percentage rose from 19 per cent to 36 per cent.

Families and solo travellers are expected to be among the first market segments to start travelling and making new reservations, according to the research from Colliers. In addition, Millennials and Gen Z are being touted as the most eager to travel, as they seek a change of scenery following long lockdown periods across the globe.