“This is a first for ATM and the regional travel and tourism community. Our partnership with Google will not only deliver up-to-the-minute industry data, but will showcase how technology plays a role in the travel industry – whether it’s searching for ideas or booking vacations or sharing their experience through social platforms,” Mark Walsh, Portfolio Director, Reed Travel Exhibitions, said.
Google’s Gulf Regional Manager, Mohamad Mourad and Marie de Ducla, Travel Industry Manager for Google in MENA will share the findings of a Google-commissioned research study conducted by IPSOS. The study will reveal the results of how travellers in MENA make decisions when it comes to travel and purchase behavior. Google commissioned a similar survey for the US travel market in 2012, with 7,500 respondents completing a 21-minute attitude and usage survey into travel habits and attitudes of leisure, business and affluent travellers.
In addition to the study, The ‘Google Think Travel’ day will feature a series of seminars for industry professionals. Several Googlers will be flying in including Nigel Huddleston, Google’s Industry Head for Travel in the UK; Dr Bernd Fauser, Global Travel Accounts Director; Maciek Nowakowski, Google Travel Product Specialist, Edouard Mailfait, Mobile Travel Expert. These executives will talk about everything from using the web for travel decisions to how travel brands can drive engagement and increase their brand awareness online.
The dedicated Travel Technology Theatre was introduced in 2012 in response to the huge demand for technology related content and the success of previous sessions within the main Seminar Theatre. Targeting all Arabian Travel Market attendees, the programme covers online travel trends, new developments in social media and advances in travel technology.
The show has grown to become the largest event of its kind in the region and one of the biggest in the world and celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, Walsh reflected on the changing face of the travel industry and the essential role technology now plays.
“Google is the most widely used web-based search engine in the world and has literally changed the lives of hundreds of millions of travelers and travel industry professionals. However it is amazing to think that Google only registered its domain name in 1997, just 15 years ago. The Google seminar presentations will no doubt highlight the profound effect technology will have on the travel industry in the future,” he said.
Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, Arabian Travel Market 2013 will be held from 6-9 May at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.