Show and tell

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Nathan Adams, manager Dnata Holidays, Dubai.

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Aloke Dey, manager holidays, Sharaf Travel, UAE.

ATN asked three high-profile luxury travel buyers to assess their experience at the recent ILTM show in Cannes and to predict luxury travel market trends for 2009.

How did the show compare to previous years?

Adams: ILTM is always important for Dnata Holidays and this year was no exception. The luxury sector has become increasingly keen to tap into the Middle Eastern market and this year all eyes seemed to be on the GCC; not least because the region is perceived to be less affected by the global economic crisis than many other areas of the world.

Balsom: It's clear the industry sees the Middle East as a key target market in the current climate and I was very encouraged by the level of interest that Luxury Hotels by Dnata received.

Aloke, as a first-time visitor, what were your impressions of the show?

Dey: The show was perfectly organised in every way - I could not have asked for anything more.

I thought that ILTM provided a good platform for networking to discover the available wealth for the luxury travel business across the globe.

What kind of luxury products and services did you attend ILTM to source?

Balsom: Luxury Hotels by Dnata is seeking to represent five-star hotels that would benefit from our expert knowledge of the Middle East and our unrivalled partnerships and contacts within the region.

Adams: We'd listened to what our customers wanted for 2009 and based on their feedback, took this opportunity to source new destinations and products to complement our extensive portfolio.

Dey: Tourism boards, DMCs, properties including eco-friendly hotels, special interest tours, cruises and luxury trains etc.

What kind of luxury products and services will the Middle East's luxury travellers demand in 2009?

Balsom: Our customers tell us they want every aspect of their trip to be an experience in its own right.

They expect a seamless service that reflects the price tag and is tailored to their individual requirements.

Adams: We expect the luxury sector to hold up well in the Middle East in 2009 with High Net Worth Individuals and families continuing to travel widely, typically to popular destinations within Europe and the Indian Ocean. We also think the US will do well this year, particularly with several new, direct flights starting from the Middle East.

Dey: New destinations and properties that offer optimal facilities and experiences for families, FITs and groups.

Will the credit crunch make a difference to the Middle East's outbound luxury market?

Balsom: No region of the world will be immune from the crisis but there are many Emirati families for whom the global credit crunch isn't a factor. These families will continue to travel  and will be looking for the highest quality products and services.

Adams: Dnata Holidays is already starting to see new trends emerge in the short-break market, with customers turning to more affordable destinations such as Sri Lanka, Jordan, Oman and across the UAE.

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